A new approach to provide the housing we need

Housing Hackney

Everyone should have the right to a safe home but we are in a housing crisis and currently failing too many people. Between 2003 – July 2020 Hackney had a net loss of 1,392 council homes[1]. In 2019, there was a net gain of 1 social house[2] in Hackney.

Renting privately in Hackney is too expensive. Local people, especially those reliant on Local Housing Allowance to pay their rent, are often unable to afford private rented accommodation within their community. This is unfair, especially with the lack of available council homes.

We cannot afford to lose more council homes through demolition. Demolishing estates and council homes breaks up communities and is also hugely damaging to the planet. Demolishing and rebuilding gentrifies an area, we are seeing this across Hackney – areas change and people who have lived there can no longer afford to.

The relationship with developers is broken and does not result in the housing we need.

Zoe

As Mayor, I will use alternative approaches to provide the homes we need. A Green Party mayor will:

  • Bring empty homes back into use
  • Use council investment to buy homes for key workers that also helps raise new money for council homes
  • Explore additional investment from pension funds and borrowing to build social housing
  • Support the development of more cooperatively owned housing.

I will listen to what residents need and:

  • Increase the number of homes which are wheelchair accessible and adapted for disabled people and prioritise these homes for those who need them
  • Redefine Living Rent for Hackney which takes into account wage gaps faced by households led by women and people from ethnic minorities
  • Take action on estate agents and landlords illegally discriminating against people in receipt of housing benefit.

We need to take better care of the council housing available so that these homes are of good quality for the people living there and remain habitable for future tenants. I will also introduce a minimum standard to provide appropriate accommodation which respects people’s dignity.

As Mayor, I will set up a resident-led independent body to ensure that the Council undertakes repairs and retrofits its properties to tackle dampness and make them more energy efficient.

I will also use the position of Mayor of Hackney, to demand that the government do more to support the council to provide more social housing and make it easier for us to meet the needs of local people.

[1] Net loss / gain of social housing schemes from 2003 – July 2020 on sites with existing social housing. Date from London Development Database – https://www.sianberry.london/news/housing/13500-lost-and-counting-we-cant-go-on-knocking-down-council-homes/

[2] https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2021/03/12/disappointment-town-hall-poor-performance-affordable-housing/

My Plan for Hackney

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