Camden New Journal - Letters: Housing

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Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 1 November 2007

We need more housing – and from the right source

• YOUR anonymous correspondent (The area does not need any more social housing, October 25), suggests that more social housing means more bad tenants. This is not the case.
All tenants have serious obligations under the terms of their tenancy. This applies to tenants of councils as well as housing associations. The difference is that the council might do something about their renegades whereas housing associations, bereft of any accountability or social responsiblity, rarely act unless a tenant fails to pay rent. Why should they?
Bad housing association tenants anger fellow HA tenants as much as, or more than, other neighbours.
I would advise anyone who has trouble with any tenant to send a copy of their complaint to Camden’s executive member for housing, Chris Naylor, and ask him to help get a result.
He is in a position to grasp HAs by their lapels and bang their heads against the wall. He should do so.
Do we need more social housing? Yes, we do. It should be built and run by responsive and accountable landlords, and that narrows the field down to just the council.
The government’s minister for housing Yvette Cooper, has been asked for copies of the evidence to support her policies.
She has had almost six months, and appears unable to do so. I wonder why.
PETER RUTHERLAND
Independent Federation of
Genesis Residents, NW6

Our choice

CAMDEN tenants are terrified at what you want to do by selling off council property, I am the chair of Delancey Studios Tenants and Residents Association and have lived under St Pancras and Camden for best part of my life. And I know housing associations are nothing like the council.
Please respect the Camden tenants’ choice and provide the Fourth Option (direct investment). The tenants and residents associations want this.
LENNY RODGIE
and the Delancey TRA, NW1

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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