Shelter warns families living in fear of eviction as new campaign video released

Shelter and HSBC have teamed up for a video campaign to show the realities of the housing crisis, as the housing charity claims people are living in fear over Section 21.

The housing charity and bank claim the video titled ‘Our House’ shows the realities for families living in “grotty-unsafe temporary accommodation where vital repairs go undone for months.”

The bank claims they will match all monetary donations received through Shelter’s Our House campaign up to a total of £100,000.

Shelter has blamed the temporary accommodation crisis on a combination of factors, including soaring rents, and says people are living in fear “over an eviction notice dropping through their letterbox at home.”

Calling on the public to stand with us

The video, set to the lyrics of Madness’ Our House, shows a family living in cramped temporary accommodation, with the father cleaning mould from the walls.

At the end, viewers are urged to “donate now,” while the YouTube description says: “HSBC UK will match all monetary donations received through Shelter’s Our House campaign up to a total of £100,000.”

Shelter and HSBC claim the partnership will make “a real difference” and are calling on the public to donate.

Shelter’s emergency helpline manager, Nadeem Khan said: “Together with HSBC UK, we’re working with families up and down the country to help build financial resilience and stop homelessness before it happens.

“Our House shines a light on the harsh reality that thousands face, and we’re calling on the public to stand with us in the fight to end homelessness for good.”

HSBC UK’s Head of Societal Purpose & Sustainability, Natalie Gregoire-Skeete, said: “With over 124,000 families in England at risk of homelessness, the ‘Our House’ campaign paints the stark reality faced by far too many families in the UK.

“By combining housing expertise, community insight, and practical financial support, our partnership with Shelter is helping people and families build financial resilience – support that can make a real difference when the unexpected happens.”

People living with constant fear they could lose their home the moment an eviction notice drops

Shelter’s emergency helpline manager, Nadeem Khan blames Section 21 and soaring rents for the temporary accommodation crisis.

He said: “It’s utterly disgraceful that across the country, more and more families are being pushed to the brink of homelessness. Soaring rents, low incomes, and a chronic shortage of social homes mean that even parents who work tirelessly to put food on the table are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

“Every day, we hear from people living with the constant fear that they could lose their home the moment an eviction notice drops through their letterbox. Many are skipping meals just to cover rent, cutting back on essentials, and making impossible choices simply to stay afloat.”

According to research by Shelter, there has been a 10% increase in the number of families assessed by their local council as homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness compared to five years ago.

Analysis by Shelter also reveals 124,210 families in England faced homelessness in 2024/25, the equivalent of one in every 57 families.

Single-parent families are almost four times more likely to be homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, with one in every 24 single-parent households affected.

The risk varies regionally, with London (24% increase) and the North East (31% increase) seeing particularly sharp rises.

The full video can be seen below