Homeless in Whiteshill: the South West's housing timebomb

Yesterday I got a phonecall from someone who has no home - the third person in our ward that has contacted me since I was elected in May - we really cannot underestimate the impact this can have on a person. It is true most people registered homeless are not actually on the streets but the toll that 'sofa surfing' takes on relationships, work possibilities and health are enormous.

Years ago as a Social Worker in London I often had the unhappy task of trying to help people fleeing violent relationships and exploitative landlords or who had lost their homes due to a whole host of reasons - I don't have the figures to hand but a huge percentage are people who have been in the forces often suffering from their experiences of war - and of course a high percentage also have mental health problems - indeed with the stresses of such living it would be surprising if people did not.

What sort of society are we? To me it is utterly outrageous we cannot find homes for people - look at the wealth around us - money for wars, renewing Trident, £300,000 bonuses for corporate 'leaders', second-homes, massive corporate profits - we are one of the wealthiest nations but the rich get richer and the poor get poorer - in our District the number of people registered homeless is steadly rising. Inequality in a society has a negative impact - it is in our interests to create a fairer society.

On current rates anyone on the register with a place further down the list than 20 basically wont get a home for years - if ever. All I can do is check people have the points they should have and know where they can get further advice - but it all stinks - basically there is not much out there - the private-rented sector is shrinking and there are fewer opportunities if anything.

But what we are seeing here is the same across much of the South West. We are the only region in England with above average house prices but below average incomes. We are the most unaffordable region in the UK to buy a home - house prices are 9.3 times average incomes and by 2011 average house prices will rise from the current £200,000 to more than £280,000 - a further whopping great 40% rise.

Affording a home at the cheapest end of the market requires income of £25,557 - 67% higher than average. House prices have already risen 164% since 1997 - yet incomes have only gone up 20%. Housing waiting lists have gone up across the region by 50% in 5 years with the 'Right to Buy' Council houses still having an impact on reducing the number of homes available.

Affordable housing makes up only 16% of all homes produced - on averahe each local authority gained just 12 new affordable homes after 'Right to Buy'. Despite extra investment over last 2 years we are still only producing half the affordable homes we need.

Research shows this all means - more overcrowding, poorer health, lower education attainments, restrictions on social mobility and employment prospects.It also affects the individuals quality of life, the regions economic prospects, leads to outward migration of young people, pressure on services and causes unbalanced communities - particularly in rural areas.

We have a housing timebomb. It is time politicians took this issue seriously.

Tenancy Management Focus Group

This is a newish group made up of tenants reps, officers and one or two councilors - the aim is to cover all aspects of Estates Management of the Councils homes ( except communal services like cleaning, grass-cutting etc which is covered by another group).

Photo: Old Stroud College building coming down to make way for houses - but not enough for the people who need them.

I went along to my first meeting yesterday - two and a half hours - which included looking at the whole process of how homes are allocated and included a talk about Choice Based Lettings Scheme - see my comment on this from a while back here - I am more reassured that the needs of vulnerable people will be considered as more staff time will hopefully be available for this group as less time is spent on queries...

And talking of queries I had one that I was able to raise after the meeting re a local resident who has been on the housing waiting list for a long while - he is not alone - indeed I get various queries (see previous blog re Whiteshill homeless and our housing timebomb here). I clearly can have no role in moving someone up on a list but I can at least check to see if they have all the points they are entitled to have...

However the reality is that many people are in dire situations but do not have enough points to be housed in the near future. Indeed under the current system where so few homes are available many single people are very unlikely to be housed at all - priority is given to others like those who are unintentionally homeless or who have children.

As I've noted before I am personally appalled by the lack of social housing available - the result of Council homes being sold and not replaced along with a failure to build more homes to cope with the increased need - both Tories and Labour must share the blame. It is an issue many of us have raised over many years but to be honest there is not a lot more the current local administration can do, as hands are tied by central government regulations.

For many the best bet is to find a private rental flat - not at all easy - the Council has a leaflet with advice but it is more than a serious challenge as I know from members of my own family.

Future meetings will include a look at other aspects of Estates Management (incl TV relay), anti-social behaviour and transfer and exchanges. This is a place for tenants to raise concerns and issues.