By guest writer Wendy Charlton The commodification of housing, loss of social housing stock and rising housing waiting lists has seen local authorities selling off public land and/or partnering with property developers. They have used tactics of managed decline and redevelopment methods along with negative media portrayal of social housing tenants. "The association between post-war… Continue reading The Stop HDV Campaign: A Grassroots Victory
By SHAC It's time for housing associations to open their books on health and safety, both for their tenants and their workers. In one day (19th October) two worrying articles appeared in the press. Firstly, there was the evacuation of 1,059 homes in a Brentford tower block owned by Notting Hill Genesis due to safety… Continue reading Open the Books on Safety
Hexagon Housing Association: From Community Housing Association to Corporatised Property Developers, and (hopefully) Back Again! Guest written by Hexagon residents Join SHAC@Hexagon for tenants and residents Between 2009 and 2019, our Hexagon Housing Association has been transformed by the chief executive (CEO) and allies from an open and accountable social landlord into little more than… Continue reading The Corporate Turn
By SHAC@Hexagon On the eve of the Hexagon Housing annual general meeting, SHAC members at Hexagon have presented the organisation with a 'Golden Flush' award for 'Secrecy, Spin, Deception and Unaccountability'. See the prestigious award here Hexagon members argued forcefully for the award, saying that Hexagon (HHA) has truly flushed away its own core values… Continue reading Hexagon Awarded ‘Golden Flush’ for Secrecy
By SHAC Jack, a homelessness worker and housing campaigner turned out for the three day protests opposing the lifting of the evictions ban in August. He spoke on why the eviction ban must be extended. https://vimeo.com/458310816 Jack speaking on the terrible harm caused by homelessness Video by Platform Films SHAC Chair Niall Mulholland Opposes Government… Continue reading I’ve Seen the Pain that Homelessness Causes
By SHAC At the SHAC open meeting on Monday 14th September, activists highlighted the need to stand together in opposing evictions, shout out against the fire safety and cladding scandals, and organise to increase tenant and resident democracy. Maintain the Eviction Moratorium The eviction moratorium - which meant that courts could not process eviction applications -… Continue reading Tenants and Residents Speak: Evictions, Fire Safety, and Democracy
By guest writers from Hillview Residents’ Association Hillview Residents’ Association (HRA) represents around 650 tenants of One Housing Group in 220 flats in Kings Cross which date from 1893. HRA has a long and proud history. It was established in 1980, and ran our estate with Shortlife Community Housing for 18 years from the late… Continue reading Hillview Residents Association: A Long and Proud History of Struggle – and still going strong
At the end of August we joined an alliance of housing campaign groups and activists to demand that tenants are protected against evictions during the pandemic. We also demand that housing associations waive rents and service charges even after lockdown for those who can show that they have suffered economically as a result of Covid-19.… Continue reading No Evictions: Making A Demand on Our Politicians
The last month has been an exceptionally busy one for SHAC. Our focus has been on building the network, opposing evictions, and highlighting the cladding scandal which leaves thousands of tenants and residents in potential fire traps. Join our next meeting to discuss these issues and help us become a force for better social housing:… Continue reading SHAC Open Meeting – 6pm, 14 September 2020
By guest writers at One Housing Residents Action Coronavirus and lockdown has been a traumatic time for One Housing Group (OHG) residents, and has led to the formation of a new action group. After years of silence since the Grenfell tragedy, OHG residents in Mile End, East London received a letter on the 16th of… Continue reading Four Hundred Angry Residents
