And ideally the council, the developers and Westminster, would just not get in the way. But that’s too much to hope for it seems. Legislation dictates that vulnerable people should stay vulnerable, as long as they’re paying a private landlord for the privilege. Meanwhile, we’re actually subsidising those landlords to maintain the housing crisis for as long as possible. Encouraging them to leave properties empty for speculation while they build on greenbelt. The shift of social housing from government to private control is effectively complete. Housing associations like Southern Housing and Orbit have dropped the facade of public interest and are openly trading in property for their own profit, diminishing the stock of social and affordable housing as much as possible in the process.
It’s all a bit fucked basically.
But do not be down-hearted! Remember that interview with people sheltering in the London Underground during the Blitz? They weren’t allowed to go down there, you know, they had to force their way in to shelter from the bombs. They weren’t supposed to seek shelter in the Underground. I guess they were just supposed to die. And the government retrospectively spun it as “the Blitz Spirit” and something officially sanctioned, even planned – a massive propaganda victory.
Anyway, they’re sitting on the tracks and on the platform and the posh journalist is asking about their morale, and one of them goes “Are we down-hearted?” and the rest of them shout “No!” Yeah, well we have to do some of that – push past the bullshit regulations and do what’s necessary to resolve the crisis. Then we might not be so down-hearted as we are in these troublesome times. Namely: we need to push community-led housing. Homes safely in our own hands, the last thing the government and private developers seem to want, as it takes money out of their hands.
Print issues four and five of Hex discuss these themes and how they apply locally, and we’ll be digging in on the detail with more online articles for the foreseeable future. Find your copies of print in pubs and cafes around town. If you want to get in touch (including to request a copy or become a distributor), email info@hastings-examiner.uk.
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