Shelter chief executive Polly Neate is stepping down after seven years leading the homelessness charity.

She is to leave at the end of March 2025 to “pursue new challenges” said the charity.

“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,” said Neate, who was awarded a CBE four years ago for services supporting people impacted by homelessness.

“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.

“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.”

The charity has now launched a search for Neate’s successor. Its chief operating officer Tim Gutteridge will serve as interim chief executive if there is a gap between her departure and the new postholder starting.

The charity’s chair Helen Baker added: “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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