Readers' views on 'joke' Stockton homes crisis as call sounded for return to council-owned properties
In the wake of a bleak report, Teesside Live readers are voicing their concerns about vulnerable individuals being caught in a cycle of homelessness and dire conditions amidst a housing crisis.
Housing Action Teesside, a tenants' union, is calling for housing to be brought back under direct council control for greater democratic accountability. The campaign, which speaks for hundreds of tenants around Teesside, is lobbying Stockton Council to revert to council-owned homes with the goal of large-scale development.
Their report, submitted to Stockton Council as part of an affordable housing review, states: "Our members and other residents across Stockton are experiencing a housing crisis, and need ambition and urgent action from the council. In the long term, Stockton's housing sector will not be sustainable without large-scale council housing."
They go onto say " housing has been left in the hands of corporate social landlords, "who are not democratically accountable to their residents. Today, building of social housing is negligible compared to housing need."
The document further argues, "By building council housing Stockton could relieve the housing waiting list, allow it to move vulnerable people on from temporary accommodation, and provide a realistic alternative to private rented housing which would provide a downward pressure on private rents."
Commenter Esquipedaliensrule says: “What on earth makes this unelected body think councils can build or provide housing cheaper than housing associations when everything else councils touch costs an arm and a leg? They are harking back to the 1970s and need to get real.”
Thechurchmouse replies: “Many Councils are taking back their housing stock from the Housing Associations. HA's are handing out homes, not to those who need them, but to those who meet their financial affordability criteria. Council housing was always for those with the greatest need. Now many social houses are being demolished and the land sold to private developers with no or very little social housing available. They push Shared Ownership schemes, but why have someone paying a mortgage, alongside a monthly rent and possible service charge, which is greater than the mortgage would be for the full purchase of the property? More should be done to help people actually buy, leaving social housing for them with greatest need. Bring back Council owned and rented properties!”
Cragsey asks: “How many homeless want the responsibilities of bill paying and so rely on councils and other agencies to pick up the tab?”
Chimpchoke replies: “And how many do want a place of their own? Not all homeless people are drug addicts living on the street! Some are divorced and forced to leave or down on their luck.”
TeessideDan wonders: “So what exactly is the issue? The stock of housing is nowhere near adequate? Or are we saying, housing associations are dishing homes out to the wrong people? What actually is the criteria to be considered a priority?”
Borowatchdog1 says: “Finding it hard to fathom why people who have lived in the UK all their lives still live in council houses!”
Chimpchoke replies: “Not everyone has a mummy and daddy to gift them a deposit, believe it or not. People live in different circumstances and some only work poorly paid jobs. Everyone is academically different, we all can’t be doctors or lawyers,”
Paulrd thinks: “The housing situation is a joke! There are so many homeless it’s shocking.”
Andylad693 just says: “Stop immigration.” Albertr77 replies: “Today we won't survive without immigrants. There are one million vacant jobs and some severe skill shortages. This is driven by the complete lack of work ethic in many English families. If you are well qualified and highly skilled then immigrants do not present a problem.”
Canopea wrties: “First point is that the Council's Landlord Selective Licensing Scheme is designed to negate substandard or exploitative accommodation. As for 'homelessness', the fact is that many are evicted tenants, rehoused in emergency accommodation simply because it is cheaper than taking kids into care. So as long as authorities are happy to appease these people by rehousing them, then the rinse repeat cycle will continue.”
Bororanger points out: “Meanwhile more tower blocks containing over 200 homes are about to be demolished in Middlesbrough & replaced with 60 bungalows!”
What do you think the solution to the housing crisis is? How can Councils help those in need? Have your say in our comments section.