09/07/2007 - Affordable Housing
PRESS RELEASE. EMBARGO Monday 9th July 2007
HUT - Homes Under Threat
Homes Under Threat (HUT), A National network of Communities under threat of demolition today welcomed Gordon Brown’s assertion that affordable homes and listening to people would be amongst his priorities in Government.
At a National conference held last week at Trafford Hall in Chester, representatives from 20 areas affected by demolition proposals across the country, will call on Hazel Blears, the newly appointed Minister of Communities and Local Government, to take a new look at the planned Compulsory Purchase Orders, (CPO’s) both within the controversial Housing Pathfinder Programme and other local Communities blighted by the threat of the bulldozer.
Spokesperson Sylvia Wilson of Nelson, Lancashire said,
“ It does not make sense for the Government to be destroying communities by knocking peoples homes down when there clearly is a growing housing shortage not only in the South but now in the North of England as well. All over the country people are telling us that their homes are needed. Just because a house is a terrace or in need of some investment, it doesn’t mean it can’t be renovated more quickly and more cheaply than destroying Communities and having to build new.”
The meeting brought together experts, including Professor Anne Power from the London School of Economics (LSE), Adam Wilkinson from SAVE, and John Earnshaw recently of the Empty Homes Unit as well as legal advice from leading Barrister, Martin Edwards.
Professor Anne Power of the LSE is concerned and says that the HUT Network has the facts to put to Ministers,
“The housing market has changed therefore the Government needs to change its plans and now is the ideal time for HUT to be putting its case to the new Ministers. Helping poor, low value housing areas catch up is no longer the priority of the Government. There is a crisis of affordable housing… so don’t knock down affordable housing! Demolition is expensive, the Government’s own figures say this and there isn’t enough money to continue demolition, so local communities are being blighted even though there are still lots of bare sites available for new houses! What were once low value areas are becoming attractive again. Last but not least, refurbishment is much more environmentally sound than building new!”
The Housing Pathfinder programme, which still continues to roll across the north of England, was singled out for particular criticism because of it’s continuing failure to consult with local Communities or change direction even in the face of criticism from the National Audit Office and the House of Commons, Housing Select Committee.
Nina Edge, Campaigner for the Welsh Streets, Liverpool said,
“We desperately need the new Communities Minister to talk to Yvette Cooper, the Housing Minister to tell her that enough is enough! What we need is some common sense! The problem has changed, so must the solution. Wholesale demolition of over half a million existing homes is not the answer!
When local groups are able to get organized and fight Public Inquiries, it is clear that the Pathfinder Demolition Machine is being driven by the large House Building Companies that just want to maximize profits.”
The Conference made up of Housing Campaigns across the country want to take Gordon Brown at his word and put people first, they are the real experts as to what is needed as far as their local areas are concerned and need to be at the table when decisions are being made. Local examples of groups fighting the demolition of homes and their Communities span from Middlesborough to Stoke, from Hull to Liverpool, even as far away as London and Essex and can be seen on the Hut’s website. www.fightforourhomes.com
The HUT Conference will also be putting a number of constructive proposals to the new Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues. A further Press Release will follow shortly.
For further information contact:
Ms Sylvia Wilson, HUT coordinator, Telephone. 01282 604749
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Ms Sylvia Wilson.
Coordinator:
Homes Under Threat.
Telephone. 01282 604749
Email: wcag1hut@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.fightforourhomes.com
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