Unfair, Unaffordable and Unnecessary

The implications of Bolsover's dreadful decision to put Council rents up by an average of 9% and warden charges by up to 26% are starting to become all to clear. Cameron has eagerly announced new right to buy discounts of up to 75% meaning that it won't be long before many tenants find it cheaper to buy than rent. And with properties being given away like this they'll be no money to build any more houses and less coming in in rent to service the £94 million loan the Council will be saddled with.

The only fair and affordable strategy is to keep rents down, whether the Government like it or not (what's it got to do with them anyway??) That way money continues to flow into local shops and the costs to us all in paying for tenants on benefits is minimised. So its good news that the petition to get Bolsover to re-think their decision is now up and running in shops on the many estates across the District. If you want a copy of the petition or the poster drop me an email on kerr.duncan@hotmail.co.uk. Later on we will be holding the first meeting with the Campaign to Defend Council Housing so watch the blog for further details.

Duncan

Standing up for Council housing

Sometimes attacks on the key foundations of our society are obvious and direct, sometimes they are covert. As a direct consequence of Government policies the future for Council housing is now looking very uncertain, and if Council housing disappears into room 101 Housing Associations will inevitably follow.
Recognising the need for action Defend Council Housing has prepared the following emergency statement - if you agree please email your support. Many thanks.

Housing Emergency – Time for an

AlternativeGovernment is fuelling a housing emergency, with an all-out attack on tenants

and council housing.

With house building collapsing, mortgages unaffordable, and private

rents rising, Government is forcing up rents, attacking secure tenancies, and

drastically cutting housing benefit.

Homeless applications and rough sleeping are already rising, and there

are 4.5 million people on housing waiting lists

1.3 million private tenants face homelessness or debt (Chartered Institute of Housing), and 7 million report using credit to pay for their home last year (Shelter).

Government’s housing measures do not have an electoral mandate. They will create more evictions, homelessness and fear, but will not curb high rents.

They do nothing to create secure, affordable homes for rent desperately needed for all those who are priced out by the housing market. They will create exclusion zones driving out the low-paid, the sick and the poor, and their families.

We call on Councillors, MPs, tenant and trade union organisations, housing, disability and poverty campaigners and all who want sustainable,mixed communities across the UK to join in a campaign around these Action points:

1. Resist and campaign against cuts in housing benefit: we call on Councillors and other landlords not to evict tenants who fall behind with their rent as a result of the new cuts in housing benefit.

2. Reject huge council rent rises driven by government debt and inflation formula.

3. Oppose the use of so-called "Affordable Rent", in fact unaffordable and insecure, with near-market rents and time-limited tenancies.

4. No scapegoating: The shortage of housing is a result of underinvestment and failure to build. It is not caused by existing or would-be tenants in work or not, of whatever race or religion.

5. Defend security of tenure for existing and future tenants.

6. Regulation to control private sector rents.

7. A programme of investment in new and improved council and other house building at genuinely-affordable rents.

It’s time to stand together, in a united, determined campaign to stop these

attacks and demand investment in the homes we need: secure, accountable

and genuinely affordable.

Add your name to this statement, and get your tenant group, trade union,

campaign or community group to sign it. To sign send your name and

organisation to Housing Emergency Alternative to

mitchellav@parliament.uk or

info@defendcouncilhousinguk