|
|
 |
| |
‘Decent Homes’ used just to make money
• THE Camden New Journal is covering disturbing stories relating to elderly people fighting to keep their homes, which, supposedly, fail the decent homes and disability standards.
If indeed these homes are as ‘unfit’ as is claimed, why have the social landlords allowed them to deteriorate – in violation of their statutory obligation – and gotten away with it for so long?
Homes don’t generally become unfit to live in overnight! Why haven’t they been maintained and updated in a proper, ongoing way? So the question arises: Have these homes been run down purposely?
The fact is that the Decent Homes Standard etc has and is being used s a tool whereby local authorities, housing associations etc can dislodge ‘uneconomic’ residents ie who enjoy security of tenure, for the purpose of lucrative redevelopment or refurbishment intended cynically to ‘maximize the potential’ of the site by making it generate more money, whether via increased rents or government grants etc.
In the north of England local authorities are bulldozing rows of homes – which could otherwise be sold as affordable starter homes to the low-paid- ostensibly to decrease the percentage of ‘unfit’ homes in their area.
Subsequently, however, those sites are rebuilt by or in ‘partnership’ with private developers for vast profits.
The iniquitously ambiguous Decent Homes standards can be made to fit wherever and in whichever way social landlords think they can gain from it.
Indeed, refurbishment projects involving lucrative ‘partnering’ with building firms are resulting in perfectly good kitchens and bathrooms being ripped out from people’s flats, the tenants subjected to invasion of their homes by cowboy workmen supposedly giving them ‘decent homes’ even when those tenants themselves have spent their own money, in some cases many thousands of pounds, making their homes very decent indeed.
This government’s Decent Homes initiative, while undoubtedly helping those who live in slums or on sink estates, is also being misused in some cases and is causing extreme distress, upheaval and heartbreak to many people, particularly the vulnerable elderly who wish only to be afforded the human right to be left in peace and live out their days in the home they are comfortably familiar with.
EDNA GOERING
Dulverton Mansions
Elm St, WC1
|
| |
|
|
|
