Affordable housing must be top of the government's 2011 to do list

I'd rather not be delivering a dour message in this positive period, or crushing the hopes that spring up with the start of each new year, but unfortunately I can't see much of a silver lining for housing in 2011. Of the many changes on the horizon, the one I believe will have the biggest impact on people this year is the cut in housing benefit. There is no doubt that our benefit system is in need of reform, and the ultimate aim of supporting people in to work is one Shelter has been campaigning for for some time. But in their existing form the cuts will have a devastating impact, both on individuals and on wider society, and they could make it harder for people to find work. Research carried out by Shelter suggests that when the changes come into force 134,000 households will be uprooted from their homes, driving people out of their communities and into areas where employment opportunities are already likely to be more limited. The government did listen to housing experts to some extent, and agreed to revise timing of these cuts , but it is extremely disappointing that it seems to be ignoring the impact these changes will have on families across the country. There is no denying that we are living in tough times. There are 3.7m households constantly struggling to pay their rent or mortgage , with 835,000 in arrears with their housing costs. We know from the cases we see every day that just one single thing, like a bout of illness, a rent increase or a drop in income, is all that's needed to push people into a spiral of debt and arrears that can lead to the loss of their home. Recent government figures have shown the first sustained increase in homelessness since 2003, and we believe these numbers could be set to soar next year as the cuts to housing benefit and support for homeowners, along with predicted job losses, interest rate rises and increases in living costs, push thousands of struggling households over the edge . It is vital for those living on a knife edge that government keeps funding free advice to help stop people who are struggling losing the roof over their heads. At a time when someone faces the nightmare of losing their home every two minutes , I'm very alarmed by the proposals to require only that councils offer them insecure rehousing in the private rented sector. From Shelter's 40 years of experience in dealing with those in housing need, we know that stability is vital for homeless people trying to get back on their feet. This change will remove a fundamental plank of the homelessness safety net, and will take away for many the hope of ever being able to secure a permanent home that they can afford. With homelessness increasing, millions priced out of the housing market, and increasing numbers of people forced into an insecure private rented sector, a lack of affordable housing is the root cause of our housing crisis. Yet a succession of governments has failed to address this issue in any meaningful way. We can only hope that 2011 is the year this changes so that we are able to see in 2012 on a more positive housing footing. Campbell Robb is the chief executive of Shelter This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. For more like this, direct to your inbox, join the housing network