| |
GREATER MANCHESTER HOUSING ACTION NETWORK DEMANDS SEAT AT DEVOLUTION PARTY
|
|
Star date: 5th April 2016 HOUSING ACTION LAUNCHES TO UNITE GREATER MANCHESTER HOUSING ISSUES "Devolution is not our party...we're locked out completely" Last weekend the Great Manchester Housing Action network was launched as an umbrella group to demand action and solutions to the area's growing housing problems. At a founding conference in Manchester, residents and representatives heard how Greater Manchester devolution has an agenda set by business interests, which excluded social housing and homelessness as a priority. The network's first demand is for a position on the Greater Manchester Combine Authorities Planning and Housing Commission. Full details here...
|
.jpg)
|
Homelessness, high rents and the lack of social housing were among issues discussed at the founding conference of the Greater Manchester Housing Action (GMHA) network last weekend. Residents and representatives from a number of community groups heard an opening speech by David Fernandez who explained that Greater Manchester is at risk of heading down the London route on housing, where expensive homes are the norm and communities are getting cleared for unaffordable housing projects. Even worse, he argued, was that Greater Manchester devolution plans were based on a `treasury model' with "business interests designing the agenda". The devolution plans had nothing to say on renters' rights or on social housing. There is a £300milion GM Housing Fund which cannot be spent on social housing. "Devolution is not our party" he added "We can watch committees and read reports but beyond that we and even local MPs are locked out completely." One of the first actions which came from the conference was that GMHA will be writing to interim GM Mayor, Tony Lloyd, demanding a position on the Greater Manchester Combine Authorities Planning and Housing Commission. Housing Action groups around Greater Manchester will also be holding housing husting meetings in the wards where council leaders are up for election this year. The conference covered Renter's Rights, Community Housing, Homeless Rights and Social Housing, with demands and solutions for each issue. On social housing the demands were... 1) Make Social Housing Policy More Democratic 2) Get Social Housing Back on the Political Agenda 3) Challenge Right to Buy 4) Spend Part of the £300 Million Fund on Social Housing 5) Secure Long-Term Social Housing Tenancies 6) Bring Back Social Housing Legal Advice 7) Link Social Housing Spending with Health and Social Care, and Education 8) Creative More Social Housing 9) Generate Alternative Social Housing Solutions As speakers at the conference explained, Greater Manchester is just starting on the road to housing action. London has around one hundred groups already, Berlin has renters' rights groups and the current Mayor of Barcelona began political life in a housing action group. That Greater Manchester needs a Housing Action group is beyond doubt, as residents explained their problems at the conference. Meanwhile, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority is currently running a consultation on its new devolution powers, which runs until 18th May... "This is an opportunity for people to examine up close what decisions we will make locally and how it will make life better for the people of Greater Manchester" states GM Interim Mayor, Tony Lloyd. However, under Planning, Housing and Regeneration its documents have nothing to say on social housing, homelessness or high rents. Greater Manchester Housing Action is aiming to force such issues onto the agenda...
The Star Salford has asked GMCA for an interview about its devolution consultation so far, GMCA hasn't responded. To read the GMCA Consultation click here To find out more about Greater Manchester Housing Action see its Facebook page *See also GM Devolution Democracy slated by House of Commons Select Committee - click here
|
|
|
|
Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 20:49:59 on 15 April 2016 |
|
|
| Hiya Annie, I've got your email. It will be good to work with people who are as passionate about helping the Disabled, Vulnerable, Elderly and Destitute, within Salford and Manchester, as I am. I will give you a ring next week, and hopefully we can combine my trained "Independent Housing Advocates", with your Housing Action Group. Such a combination of resources and information should, in theory, make your Housing Action Group, more effective against protecting and supporting the homeless and destitute in Salford and Manchester. As always, Kindest Regards, Tahir Chakotai. |
|
|
?
|
Annie Jackson wrote
at 09:19:50 on 15 April 2016 |
|
|
| Hi Tahir,
I apologise for the delay in responding to you. It's my fault - I sent you the wrong email address so never received your message! And I failed to check Salford Star in case you commented back on here (again, my bad).
It's greatermanchesterhousingaction@lists.riseup.net NOT greatermanchesterhousingaction@lists.riseup.mail.net
I've sent you a private email. You're doing amazing work. Really look forward to learning from you.
Thanks,
Annie |
|
|
?
|
Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 21:32:37 on 12 April 2016 |
|
|
| Dear Annie Jackson. As promised I contacted your Action Housing Group, liked you Facebook account, and also sent a message which has appeared on your Facebook group page. This was done on the 7th of April 2016. I also left you my email address on the Salford Star, so you could email me. We are now on the 12th of April 2016 and I have heard absolutely nothing. I am still on your Action Housing Group email list, and I have seen nothing that relates to actually helping the Homeless, Vulnerable, Elderly and Destitute who live in Salford or Manchester. On average, 3 people from Salford and Manchester, per day, are made homeless. A further 10 vulnerable / disabled adults will have their tenancy threatened unlawfully by a Housing Association, per day, in Salford and Manchester. Every day 40 families will go without eating because of the ever increasing costs of living in Salford and Manchester. So while you and your Housing Action Group have been deciding on what to wear on your Homeless March, me and my fellow "Independent Housing Advocates" have been fighting for another another under 55 disabled adult to be relocated to an over 55 property, have gained a copy of the new Salford Council Housing Allocation Policy, which shows that all of the Housing Associations in Salford are Breaching the Equalty Act 2010, (Section 149) and breaching Section 8.1 of the new "Salford Council Allocation Policy". We have even had meetings with CAB and gained the correct housing information that clearly states that all those under 55, disabled and / or vulnerable adults, cannot be stopped from relocating to an over 55 age banded property. So we plan to undertake a "Judicial Reveiw" to ensure that the Salford Home Search Scheme managed by Salix Homes, and the Housing Associations that advertise using this Scheme, start to adjust their "Housing Allocation Policies" to ensure they are working within the legal parameters of "Section 149 of the Equality Act" and "Section 8.1 of the Salford Councils Housing Allocation Policy". We even put £100 pounds of our own money in the pot and bought gloves, scarves, and hats to give out to the homeless in Salford and Manchester, and managed to make the biggest pan of soup to feed the homeless, that I have ever seen. And from my sickbed have managed to hold three meetings using a web cam, to ensure the CCG are funding groups that support Autism. I have coordinated all of this from my sickbed. So I will go back to my original statement. It is the "Independent Housing Advocates" of Salford and Manchester, that should be on the "Devolution Board / Committee" and certainly not a group whose words far outweigh their deeds. As stated once before and supported by "Cae Os", Salford and Manchester need people who care not for title, money, status, or power, but are passionate about helping those who are suffering within Salford and Manchester. "Independent Housing Advocates" are exactly that. Independent, everyday people, who understand what it is to suffer, and ensure, to the best of our abilities, that no one has to go through what we have endured in our lives. Most of us are severely physically disabled, and use our time effectively to help those most in need. What we don't need is a Housing Action Group, who cares more about publicity and title, than the people they are supposed to be helping. |
|
|
?
|
Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 19:59:07 on 07 April 2016 |
|
|
| Hello to Annie Jackson. I am deemed severely disabled and my life expectancy is not brilliant, however I would love to use what little time I have left on this planet to train other advocates who are interested in defending, helping and supporting, the elderly, vulnerable, and destitute who live in Manchester and Salford. My email address is electric-midknight@hotmail.co.uk. I'm sorry about my harsh criticisms about your Housing Action Group, but at the time, when attending your meeting, your aims seemed to be more about title and less about helping and supporting the community. However you do debate very well, and I am only too aware, that my time on this planet is short. So it is important to me, that my talents, and education do not die with me. So if you would like to send me some information about what you are working on, and what areas of housing allocation policies need attention, I would be only to happy to train your housing advocates so that they can and will be able to support those who are less fortunate than ourselves. I think your Housing Action Group has moved leaps and bounds in the last couple of months, judging by what you are saying. I would also value some input from another Housing Advocate "Cae Os", who also seems to possess a great insight into the housing needs of the vulnerable, elderly, disabled and destitute who reside in Manchester and Salford. I have also been training a Mrs. Sharon Hooley, who at present is a "Disabled Activist", but would like the knowledge to not only campaign for better social housing and equality, but would also like to learn everything about housing law, so she can defend the vulnerable, elderly, disabled, and destitute who live in Manchester and Salford. At the end of the day Annie, you are right, it's time to pull all of our talents and resources together to ensure equality for all who live in Manchester and Salford. I look forward to hearing from you, within the near future. Kindest Regards, Tahir Chakotai. (Independent Housing Advocate). |
|
|
?
|
Annie Jackson wrote
at 16:38:12 on 07 April 2016 |
|
|
| Hi Tahir,
I helped organise the conference last Saturday for Greater Manchester Housing Action (yes, we now have a name). Sorry you didn't get a lot out of the first meeting at Islington Mill.
There are so many independent campaigners doing such good work, like yourself. I think the idea for the group was to bring such people together to launch a loud, effective, region-wide campaign for better housing in Greater Manchester; one which the council couldn't ignore and which would secure real change.
It's taken a little time to work out how best to co-ordinate the campaign (the housing market is big, complicated and riddled with problems!). But we're now doing exactly that, and we'd love you to join in. We have 4 working groups (social housing, private rented sector, homelessness/empty homes, community housing solutions) and each has a set of aims which we are working hard to achieve. They will be published on our website (under construction) for anyone who would like to get involved. Your experience would be invaluable in the social housing working group; I will send you our action plan if you are interested, as I am acting as secretary (not because I care about the title, by the way, but because someone needs to take the notes!)
This week alone, members are active organising meetings with politicians up for re-election in May to question their pledges on housing, attending a march against homelessness, researching specific sections of housing law, linking with local health groups to highlight the impact of poor housing on mental health etc.
Progress may well be slow because our aim is to change policy and structure, which can't happen overnight and involves necessary but frustrating tasks like writing letters and articles and talking to counsellors, which doesn't feel very significant but can make a real difference over time.
The volunteers and charities who help so many people in this region are incredible and their praises can't be sung highly enough! But unless we can change laws and business practices, there will simply be more homeless people and evicted tenants to help. This situation is unsustainable, not to mention immoral and unnecessary!
I'd like to point out that the members of our network are wide-ranging and varied, but they include campaigners who have managed to persuade the council to do a feasibility study into introducing landlord licencing (which happened in the last 6 months), volunteers who regularly feed the homeless, people who run local tenants groups to hold housing associations to account, residents who improve communities by helping neighbours get together to create garden alleys, local property lawyers who help vulnerable people etc.
Our network also welcomes people who are new to politics but care deeply about housing inequality and the people it affects and want to help somehow. So, Tahir, I realise you're very busy, but perhaps you could train some of us to become 'tenacious housing advocates'? There is a lot of good will in the group and I'm sure many of us would be glad to learn from your experience to, as you say, care about those who are in need, as this is what our campaign is based on.
If you'd like any information, please do get in touch...
https://www.facebook.com/1mcrsalfordhousingaction
greatermanchesterhousingaction@lists.riseup.mail.net
Thanks! |
|
|
?
|
Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 14:54:24 on 06 April 2016 |
|
|
| Just wanted to say a massive thank you to "Cae Os" for your kind and accurate words. It sounds like you are a Tenacious Housing Advocate". It's good to know that Salford and Manchester have a minority of "Housing Advocates" who are completely selfless, and put the safety, and housing needs of the elderly, vulnerable and destitute, before the needs of themselves. Well done "Cae Os" and carry on the good work. Kindest Regards from a fellow "Independent Housing Advocate, Tahir Chakotai. :) |
|
|
?
|
Cae Os wrote
at 13:20:06 on 06 April 2016 |
|
|
| Excellent sum up Tahir, I was at this event and had an awful lot to say too mostly in the alternative strategy dept. One good thing thou! I now know a small thing about a tenacious "Independent" housing advocate.
The fight continues and we are the last laugh in this Northern Megatropolice state.
Personally I want to bring the UN in, we need all the help we can get.
with respect
Cae |
|
|
?
|
Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 09:05:09 on 06 April 2016 |
|
|
| I not sure what to make of this article. I went to one of these Action Housing Group meetings that was held at the Islington Mill a while ago. Although there seemed to be a lot of good intentions, the priority of the group was to think of a name to be called by. However while they were thinking of names to give themselves, I was tackling five court cases where vulnerable adults were being evicted as a result of their disability and / or, their protected characteristics, to which I won. I have also been tackling the age banding, Salford social housing policy, that is stoping disabled adults / vulnerable adults from moving to appropriate properties. Instead of disabled people being moved to appropriate properties based on their disability, many of the social landlords are basing the relocation of disabled / vulnerable adults on how old they are. Therefore if the disabled adult is under 55, the allocation policy known as the Salford Home Search, will only allow a bid on a property if you are of the right age, which stops disabled / vulnerable adults being moved into adapted suitable properties, that suit their disability needs and not their age. The problem I have encountered time and time again is the fact the Salford Social Housing Associations are moving severely disabled adults into tower blocks where there is little or no lift service, so these disabled adults are practically isolated and trapped in their flat, for weeks at a time. The current age banding housing policy only applies to those who have little or no disability, as the age banding of social properties is "Discretionary" and not "Manditory". The severely disabled and those deemed vulnerable are exempt from such age banding policies. Therefore all of the Salford Social Housing Associations who advertise their properties on The Salford Homesearch Website, currently managed by Salix Homes, are breaching Section 149 of the Equalities Act 2010. So while this Action Housing Group has been deciding on a name, I have undertaken court cases and won, and even though my physical disabilities have stopped me getting out my flat, I have been fighting from my bedside, online, to tackle the age banding of properties, so that all the disabled and vulnerable adults can live in a property that suits their disabled needs and not their age. So it all well and good that this Action Housing Group want to sit on a board to tackle homelessness and affordable social housing, but so far, in my opinion, all they have done is said a lot of words. There does not seem to be any actual evidence, within the last 6 months, that they have made any difference, to the homeless and social housing problems in Manchester and Salford. However advocates like me, even when sick in bed, manage to type reports that protect and fight for social housing equality. To sum it up, the Housing Action Group has stated a great deal of words, but have not managed to produce one good deed. It is the actions and interventions of tenacious housing advocates that should be sitting on the devolution board. I do not care about a name or title, therefore my only focus is helping the disabled, vulnerable, and destitute who live in Manchester and Salford. We need more tenacious housing advocates in Manchester and Salford, who care little about status, names and titles, but do care about those who are in need. That in my opinion is what is needed, to strive towards affordable social housing, and equality for all. |
|
|
?
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
