British music icon Craig David has returned to his childhood council house in Southampton, lending his voice to a powerful campaign pushing for increased investment in social housing. Teaming up with housing and homelessness charity Shelter, the “7 Days” singer revisited the Holyrood Estate where he grew up, emphasizing how access to a stable and affordable home laid the foundation for his personal and professional success.
David, now 43, lived on the estate near Southampton city centre from the age of one until his early twenties, when his music career began to soar. His 2000 debut album, Born to Do It—which featured chart-topping hits like “Fill Me In” and “Walking Away”—was largely inspired by his life in that very neighborhood. In a short film produced by Shelter, David is seen walking through familiar streets alongside his mother, Tina, reflecting on the deep impact that living in a social home had on his upbringing.
“Growing up in a social home meant everything to me,” David shared. “It wasn’t just a place to live—it was a space where I felt secure, supported, and able to be myself.” He also spoke fondly about the tight-knit community on the estate. “The sense of community was so strong. We looked out for each other, and that made all the difference.”
David’s return comes amid Shelter’s renewed push for government action to address the country’s chronic housing shortage. The charity is calling on ministers to commit to building 90,000 social homes a year for the next decade, a proposal they want included in the upcoming June spending review.
Mairi MacRae, Shelter’s director of campaigns and policy, praised David for using his platform to spotlight the life-changing potential of affordable housing. “Craig’s story shows how powerful and transformative a social home can be,” she said. “It provided him with the stability he needed to thrive. That’s a world away from what growing numbers of children are facing today—being shuffled between temporary accommodations and living with the constant fear of having to move again.”
The situation is dire. Years of underinvestment in social housing have forced many families into expensive private rentals, overcrowded homes, or insecure temporary accommodation. Shelter argues that without bold action, more and more children will grow up without the safety and consistency that David was fortunate to have.
In the film, David also meets the family who now lives in his former home. Despite the passage of time, he says the “same energy” still exists there—a testament, he believes, to the importance of preserving and expanding access to council housing.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that so many kids today don’t have the same chance I did,” David said. “Every child deserves the security, support, and sense of belonging I was lucky enough to grow up with. And that means investing in social housing.”
In response, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government acknowledged the issue and stated that the government is “taking urgent action to fix the broken system we inherited.” They cited a £2 billion investment toward increasing the supply of social and affordable homes, as well as reforms to the Right to Buy scheme aimed at protecting existing housing stock.
Despite these measures being a start, campaigners argue that they are insufficient to reverse decades of underfunding in social housing. Shelter maintains that only a sustained, large-scale commitment—like the proposed 90,000 homes a year—will be enough to provide secure homes for the millions currently in need. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government has acknowledged the issue and stated that the government is “taking urgent action to fix the broken system we inherited.” They cited a 2-billion-pound investment towards increasing the supply of social and affordable homes, as well as reforms to the Right to Buy scheme aimed at protecting stock. existing housing
As Craig David stood in front of his former home with his mother, the emotion was evident. His story is not just about music success—it’s a reminder of what’s possible when families have the stable foundation of a decent home. And with Shelter’s campaign gaining traction, his message may be the catalyst for change that many have been waiting for.
