Carl Chinn's article in the Birmingham Mail focusing on the 1960's BBC play 'Cathy Come Home' was a true example of how homelessness affected families during that time, owing to under investment in social housing.
The saddest part was to see the total break down and then ripping apart of a family by the system that was not willing to assist.
My background is housing and I do have a fear that Birmingham is already in crisis when it comes to social housing as there is no clear defined role by Birmingham City Council to address the ever increasing issue of Homelessness, Provision and Housing Management.
The number of people sleeping rough is increasing in addition to the number of families and communities squatting in derelict building and unoccupied houses is ever increasing in the inner city areas, which is of course reminiscent of the slum era in Birmingham that Carl Chinn refers too.
With the mass demolition of Birmingham's High Rise estates,coupled with the slow replenishment of housing stock, there is no direction when it comes to Housing provision in the City, which is compounded by the homeless mobility policies of especially the London Boroughs.
We have further seen the condition which has been publicised, of some of the hostel and houses in multiple occupation, which whilst making landlords plenty of money, the conditions leave alot to be desired.
This article is timely by Carl Chinn with the Local and General Election looming, as the whole issue of all strands of Housing needs direction which can only be provided by a Cabinet Member for Housing in Birmingham, for which I was told was an old fashioned way of working by the City Leadership.
However, if not tackled effectively the housing crisis may well return to families facing the issues highlighted in this play.
Here's the link to Carl Chinn's article
Desmond Jaddoo
15th February 2015
The saddest part was to see the total break down and then ripping apart of a family by the system that was not willing to assist.
My background is housing and I do have a fear that Birmingham is already in crisis when it comes to social housing as there is no clear defined role by Birmingham City Council to address the ever increasing issue of Homelessness, Provision and Housing Management.
The number of people sleeping rough is increasing in addition to the number of families and communities squatting in derelict building and unoccupied houses is ever increasing in the inner city areas, which is of course reminiscent of the slum era in Birmingham that Carl Chinn refers too.
With the mass demolition of Birmingham's High Rise estates,coupled with the slow replenishment of housing stock, there is no direction when it comes to Housing provision in the City, which is compounded by the homeless mobility policies of especially the London Boroughs.
We have further seen the condition which has been publicised, of some of the hostel and houses in multiple occupation, which whilst making landlords plenty of money, the conditions leave alot to be desired.
This article is timely by Carl Chinn with the Local and General Election looming, as the whole issue of all strands of Housing needs direction which can only be provided by a Cabinet Member for Housing in Birmingham, for which I was told was an old fashioned way of working by the City Leadership.
However, if not tackled effectively the housing crisis may well return to families facing the issues highlighted in this play.
Here's the link to Carl Chinn's article
Desmond Jaddoo
15th February 2015