On the serious problems with housing in Britain-especially in London
Today, some of my Green colleagues from Islington, London, went over to Mount Pleasant to hold a demonstration against the numerous problems almost all Londoners (but the very rich) face regarding housing.
As the Crumbs for London group says, two-thirds of all houses or flats in London are bought up either by overseas investors who are only interested in making profits (which explains why many good houses in London have been left empty) or by private leaseholders demanding extortionate rents, which in addition to increased gentrification will soon cause many parts of London to become ghettoised. The majority of Londoners are left fighting over the remaining third of homes, and house prices are rising several times faster than the average wage, especially in Inner London (the boroughs that were in London prior to 1965).
Many other problems with housing affect London significantly but also all of Britain as well. The lack of social housing across the nation, which is a direct result of the mechanics of the 'right-to-buy' scheme that flourished under Margaret Thatcher's tenure; many former council houses are now in the hands of greedy leaseholders similar to the ones who proliferate London. The fact that homes have become investments for many rather than actual homes,which they should be, has contributed to the excessive house prices across the nation, and this shuts out most first-time buyers and most people under the age of 30.
I believe that much needs to be done to deal with this major crisis. Firstly, empty homes that are not actually being used should be seized from those investors so that they can actually be used for housing-we cannot afford to let them lie when so many people are homeless or in search of housing that actually meets their needs. Secondly, proportionate rent controls should be introduced so that housing benefit would not need to be paid- all housing benefit actually does is waste millions of pounds' worth of taxpayers' money by subsidising private landlords too selfish to give lower rents. Thirdly, councils need to be allowed to finance the building of social housing projects, which will also help halt gentrification of areas when it really is not needed. Fourthly, tenants need more rights than they do at present-the reality is not everyone will be able to fully earn their home, and certainly not all at the same time.
Well done to those who came to Mount Pleasant today to highlight these problems and help us campaign for a better future.
Regards, Alan.
As the Crumbs for London group says, two-thirds of all houses or flats in London are bought up either by overseas investors who are only interested in making profits (which explains why many good houses in London have been left empty) or by private leaseholders demanding extortionate rents, which in addition to increased gentrification will soon cause many parts of London to become ghettoised. The majority of Londoners are left fighting over the remaining third of homes, and house prices are rising several times faster than the average wage, especially in Inner London (the boroughs that were in London prior to 1965).
Many other problems with housing affect London significantly but also all of Britain as well. The lack of social housing across the nation, which is a direct result of the mechanics of the 'right-to-buy' scheme that flourished under Margaret Thatcher's tenure; many former council houses are now in the hands of greedy leaseholders similar to the ones who proliferate London. The fact that homes have become investments for many rather than actual homes,which they should be, has contributed to the excessive house prices across the nation, and this shuts out most first-time buyers and most people under the age of 30.
I believe that much needs to be done to deal with this major crisis. Firstly, empty homes that are not actually being used should be seized from those investors so that they can actually be used for housing-we cannot afford to let them lie when so many people are homeless or in search of housing that actually meets their needs. Secondly, proportionate rent controls should be introduced so that housing benefit would not need to be paid- all housing benefit actually does is waste millions of pounds' worth of taxpayers' money by subsidising private landlords too selfish to give lower rents. Thirdly, councils need to be allowed to finance the building of social housing projects, which will also help halt gentrification of areas when it really is not needed. Fourthly, tenants need more rights than they do at present-the reality is not everyone will be able to fully earn their home, and certainly not all at the same time.
Well done to those who came to Mount Pleasant today to highlight these problems and help us campaign for a better future.
Regards, Alan.
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