A home to anyone is their castle. For some time now we have had a developing Housing Crisis in Birmingham, which is now being compounded by the Bedroom Tax levied on the people in social housing for under occupation.
A home is shrouded with history of family life and indeed when some children leave the home obviously rooms are left unoccupied. It is the case even in my family.
A home provides stability, a sense of belonging and pride. It is your own space or territory where you are the ruler. However, this repulsive bedroom tax has been thrusted upon people and they are expected to be treated like cattle and just move about as they are unable to afford the surcharge.
This was highlighted in the unfortunate and tearful case of Stephanie Bottrill in Solihull who just was at her wits end.
We cannot play the blame game and in Birmingham we need to adopt a strategic and pro-active approach in order to deal with our Housing Crisis.
There is in the region of 14000 household’s affected by this tax requiring one bedroom accommodation, but, Birmingham Housing Department has around 200 properties, especially taking into consideration the mass demolition which has been taking place throughout the City of unsuitable and high maintenance multi storey blocks.
I am alarmed at the fact that despite of we are yet again in May and the Birmingham City Council Leadership has not grasped the opportunity to reinstate the Cabinet post for Housing in order that a more strategic approach be adopted in order to tackle this issue that impacts upon people’s lives.
It is pointless having it split across various Chairs and Areas, as it is an important issue and indeed Sir Albert Bore removed this post from Cabinet last year. I would urge him to reinstate it this City has a crisis and Government needs to be told point blank this cannot work as there is no availability of adequate alternative by a permanent dedicated Member of the Cabinet.
I believe that with the many empty Apartments in the City; the Council could be more proactive in developing solutions in utilising some of these.
The City needs to tackle this crisis urgently and strategically with a Cabinet Member and Sir Albert Bore is urged to take action now in order to avoid any further tragedies.
We must remember that Birmingham is a City of 1.1 million people and increasing we need to deal with this now time to put the needs of the people of this City first.
If anyone is feeling the strain please seek help contact your local :
CAB www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Shelter england.shelter.org.uk
Birmingham Settlement www.birminghamsettlement.org.uk
The Samaritans www.birminghamsamaritans.org.uk
Please also remember the doors are open to the Houses of Faith.
You are not alone you can also email me at [email protected]
A home is shrouded with history of family life and indeed when some children leave the home obviously rooms are left unoccupied. It is the case even in my family.
A home provides stability, a sense of belonging and pride. It is your own space or territory where you are the ruler. However, this repulsive bedroom tax has been thrusted upon people and they are expected to be treated like cattle and just move about as they are unable to afford the surcharge.
This was highlighted in the unfortunate and tearful case of Stephanie Bottrill in Solihull who just was at her wits end.
We cannot play the blame game and in Birmingham we need to adopt a strategic and pro-active approach in order to deal with our Housing Crisis.
There is in the region of 14000 household’s affected by this tax requiring one bedroom accommodation, but, Birmingham Housing Department has around 200 properties, especially taking into consideration the mass demolition which has been taking place throughout the City of unsuitable and high maintenance multi storey blocks.
I am alarmed at the fact that despite of we are yet again in May and the Birmingham City Council Leadership has not grasped the opportunity to reinstate the Cabinet post for Housing in order that a more strategic approach be adopted in order to tackle this issue that impacts upon people’s lives.
It is pointless having it split across various Chairs and Areas, as it is an important issue and indeed Sir Albert Bore removed this post from Cabinet last year. I would urge him to reinstate it this City has a crisis and Government needs to be told point blank this cannot work as there is no availability of adequate alternative by a permanent dedicated Member of the Cabinet.
I believe that with the many empty Apartments in the City; the Council could be more proactive in developing solutions in utilising some of these.
The City needs to tackle this crisis urgently and strategically with a Cabinet Member and Sir Albert Bore is urged to take action now in order to avoid any further tragedies.
We must remember that Birmingham is a City of 1.1 million people and increasing we need to deal with this now time to put the needs of the people of this City first.
If anyone is feeling the strain please seek help contact your local :
CAB www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Shelter england.shelter.org.uk
Birmingham Settlement www.birminghamsettlement.org.uk
The Samaritans www.birminghamsamaritans.org.uk
Please also remember the doors are open to the Houses of Faith.
You are not alone you can also email me at [email protected]