This report is based on a review of over 100 studies examining the relationship between housing and children's development. The review looked at evidence of a "housing effect" in relation to each of the Every Child Matters outcomes. The review was particularly concerned with identifying studies that showed a causal link between bad housing and negative outcomes. It focused on studies using objective measures of negative outcomes, such as the incidence of illness and lower exam results. Where the wider body of evidence is used (eg. surveys of people in bad housing and feedback from interviews with people in bad housing), this has been made explicit. Paying close attention to the quality of the methodology used, the review has identified robust evidence of a "housing effect" on children's life chances. Shelter has worked with child poverty expert Lisa Harker to expose the truth about the 'housing effect' on children’s lives. A comprehensive review of the evidence, the first to be undertaken, has revealed the devastating impact of badhousing on children’s life chances. Without steps to address this housing crisis, poverty and unequal life chances will persist for many children for years to come. The findings of this research show just how urgently the Government needs to put an end to bad housing for children.