Polly Neate steps down as chief executive of Shelter

Polly Neate steps down as chief executive of Shelter

0:02 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago 49

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Polly Neate has announced her decision to step down as chief executive of housing charity Shelter after more than seven years in the role.

Ms Neate will leave the position at the end of March 2025, with the recruitment process for her successor already underway.

During her time at Shelter, Ms Neate has been a strong advocate for tenants’ rights and has pushed for the abolition of Section 21.

I feel immensely proud

Shelter claims that under Ms Neate’s leadership, the charity has helped millions of people facing homelessness and poor housing through its face-to-face advocacy, telephone and online advice services.

Shelter claims that Ms Neate has successfully campaigned for changes to tackle the housing emergency, including new laws to improve conditions in social housing and the strengthening of renters’ rights.

Ms Neate says the decision to leave Shelter was a personal decision so she could pursue new challenges.

Ms Neate said: “I joined Shelter because I know that an end to homelessness and housing insecurity in this country is not a wild fantasy – it is an achievable reality.

“I feel immensely proud of how Shelter has led the pursuit of that goal over the last seven years. Deciding to leave has been an incredibly difficult decision, but I know the time is right, both personally and for the organisation.”

Ms Neate adds Shelter will continue to voice their opinions on the housing emergency and renters’ rights.

“I’ll forever be grateful to the incredible colleagues, volunteers and supporters who have enabled us to achieve so much in my time here. With their passion and focus, I know Shelter will continue to draw public and political attention to the housing emergency, champion the building of more social homes as the only answer to that emergency, and fight to defend the right to a safe home for everyone.

“When we do finally have a country where homelessness is a thing of the past and everyone can afford a decent place to live, every one of those Shelter employees, volunteers and supporters will have been instrumental in that achievement.”

Indefatigable force for social justice

Helen Baker, chair of Shelter’s Board of Trustees, claims Ms Neate has had a huge impact on the housing sector praising her as an “indefatigable force for social justice.”

She said: “On behalf of Shelter’s Board and staff, I’d like to express our deepest thanks to Polly for everything she has achieved over the last seven years. Her impact on Shelter and the wider housing and charity sectors is both incalculable and inspirational.

“Under her leadership, Shelter has truly shifted the public discourse on housing, driving a much fuller understanding of the housing emergency, its causes and solutions, to the top of the political agenda.

“Polly is a born change-maker and an indefatigable force for social justice. We wish her all the very best at wherever she chooses to take that passion and leadership next”.


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Monty Bodkin

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7:30 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_release/at_least_309000_people_homeless_in_england_today

"Homelessness rises by 14% in a year as housing emergency escalates

New research from Shelter shows at least 309,000 people in England will spend Christmas without a home, including almost 140,000 children."

Jason

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7:33 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

Due to be replaced by another short sighted numpty.

Cider Drinker

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7:50 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 03/10/2024 - 07:30
I guess that proves, beyond doubt, that Shelter have failed to reduce homelessness during Neate’s time as the £120,000+ chief executive of a bunch of leeches.

Shelter don’t provide shelter to anyone. Their name is a bit misleading, isn’t it? A bit like Selfridges who don’t sell fridges 🙂

Old Mrs Landlord

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9:34 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

I suppose she feels her predominant mission to eradicate the unjust "no fault" evictions on a "landlord's whim" which was her regular refrain is now close to being won. The Renters Rights Bill, once enacted, will keep undesirable tenants in their homes at landlords' expense and to neighbours' chagrin while denying the opportunity for those who would be good, rent-paying, law-abiding tenants access to a home and landlords a decent tenant. She must be feeling so smug and self-satisfied now that so few landlords will be able or prepared to risk letting their properties on those terms and homelessness is rising at an unprecedented rate.

Cider Drinker

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9:57 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Old Mrs Landlord at 03/10/2024 - 09:34
I’m sure she deserved her Vennells-esque CBE (awarded by the late Queen) for her services to tackle homelessness.

In reality, every private landlord has done more to tackle homelessness than Neate.

I guess my award is in the post.

dismayed landlord

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10:14 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

She is getting out before the s..t hits the fan. Before the public and tenants realise what damage she has actually caused! Keeps her pension and moves on to a higher paid job where she can cause even more carnage.

Martin

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10:25 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by dismayed landlord at 03/10/2024 - 10:14
You're not wrong.
Big business CEOs do it all the time.
It also mirrors politicians in a way. Arrive, state you have a plan, get paid and leave just before the plan should theoretically come to fruition. Then blame the next person for it's failure.
I don't think anyone in shelter really believed section 21 would ever be abolished. It is NOT a no fault eviction, it's a no reason given eviction and they know that.
So Polly hitches herself to that wagon claiming it will solve homelessness. Now it's happening and it won't she is leaving - strange that!
Just like Brexit, think about Boris and Nigel, and how they said it would be great for the country. They never believed it would happen and when it did it was suddenly someone elses fault for not doing it right.
I think I might apply. Landlording doesn't pay so well now and it looks like there is some free money up for grabs there!

Markella Mikkelsen

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10:26 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by dismayed landlord at 03/10/2024 - 10:14
Those were my thoughts exactly.

The sh** storm she has created in the PRS is about to hit the fan.
Every stakeholder in this sector - banks, letting agents, mortgage brokers, landlords - have heeded a warning.

Even Polly can do some basic maths.

GlanACC

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10:31 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

No doubt moving on to a more lucrative position somewhere else.

Keith Wellburn

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10:51 AM, 3rd October 2024, About 2 months ago

I was re-drafting my will earlier in the week and the impression Polly Neate has made upon me in recent years prompted me to mention Shelter in it. To the effect that if the regional charity dealing with homelessness that I support and have left a gift to, ceases to exist, my Executors have discretion to select a substitute charity - but NOT Shelter.

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