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.
The latest from Hex
- Another Day at the Council
Words: Merlin Betts. Images: SGH The morning of Thursday 28 August we went to the Hastings Borough Council (HBC) offices, hoping to catch the housing department after their weekly meeting. Three of us were with Thomas, a homeless man who the council are fighting in court. As I joined the group, another person responding to… - Transphobia, Women’s Rights and the New Section 28
Text: Oli Spleen. Photo: Oli with long-time friend and trans activist Fox Fisher. By Proud Parkers Photography. When Hastings Independent Press first launched over eleven years ago, its founding mission was to offer a unique community-led alternative to the mainstream fearmongering, scapegoating and divisive rhetoric that is the fodder of the daily tabloids. For many… - Ever Heard of a Housing Strategy?
SGH has been attending the Hastings Housing Strategy steering group for the last 10 months. With co-writers Grace L and Ethan, they highlight fundamental issues with the Strategy, and ask just how useful is an ‘even-handed’ approach to tenants and landlords while we’re in a housing crisis directly caused by landlording? Featured artwork by Chris… - A Day Out at the Protestival
Text: Ethan Oshoko. Photo: @sonskaphotographystudio On Sunday the 13 July, residents from all over Hastings and St Leonards came together on the old bathing pool site in West St Leonards, in order to demonstrate two things: First, they demonstrated that developers will not be allowed to take public land and exploit it purely for profit… - Jewish Not ZionistBy Marilyn GarsonPublished by Circaidy Gregory Press, 2025, RRP £12. Review by Tim Barton One day everyone will have always been against this, is a new book by journalist Omar El Akkad. The title is taken from a tweet he posted on October 25th 2023: “One day, when it’s safe, when there’s no personal downside…
- Protest for ‘intentionally homeless’ family facing eviction
Grace L After two and a half years in temporary accommodation, Thomas and Alice (not their real names) are appealing to Hastings Council to give them and their young child a secure home. Unlike other homeless families in temporary accommodation who are on the waiting list for social housing and can bid for places as… - Are ‘Protestivals’ the Future?
Simon Lee, photo: @sonskaphotographystudio Something extraordinary happened at the old lido in St Leonards this July. Billed as a protestival, people gathered to show the local administration and property developers that really, we have had enough! In a hastily organised, but beautifully executed gathering, the people of St Leonards proclaimed their resolve and opposition to… - Check the Fake Plastic Lemon
Andrew Myers If you were to inhabit the body of an insect while retaining all the vital aspects of human intellect and perception, and find yourself on one of the vertical surfaces of the present writer’s kitchen, while a dish involving fish or seafood is being prepared, or indeed during any activity, culinary or otherwise,… - Walking the Border of Gaza
Writing: Merlin Betts. Image: Archie Lauchlan. Walking the border of Gaza… well, a similar length anyway. The Stade to the De La Warr is about 9km, not far off the length of the Gaza Strip’s southern border with Egypt. Gaza’s longer border is 51km – that’s basically from here to Brighton. I made this the… - Souprice
A recipe by Wolfie and Rubes Ingredients – 1 can butternut squash soup– 1 cup cooked rice– 1 vegan chicken stock cube Method 1. Cook rice2. Cook soup3. Put rice in soup and stir together with stock cube Optional garnish:1. Fry diced vegan chorizo sausage, a handful of chopped green beans until crispy2. Add a… - Pink Soup
David Williams writes on food and activism, or “How to Feed 100 People” We’re keeping it simple here. This isn’t fine dining en masse for a swathe of paying guests. This is doing a big ol’ quantity of grub – bonus points if you can make it healthy and nourishing – for a relatively unknown… - A Poem – On SurrenderKalai Preston Surrender to the moments around, Supplicate to the eternal sound. Heaven draws you ever nearer,When you hold your soul ever dearer. Listen to the subtle waves,Of light dancing and be saved.There is beauty to behold, If you are only ever bold. Surrender into every moment, Realise that you too are golden. We cannot…