In the gloom-occluded world of social housing in the United Kingdom, there are occasional tiny flashes of sunlight. Literally.
But first, let’s get the bad news out of the way.
UK country governments have, for several decades now, reneged on a vital responsibility that they accepted wholeheartedly a century ago and more — way back when they began to take over responsibility for, and financial support of, charitable housing for the poor.
Today local councils and housing associations retain responsibility for what is now known as social housing, but with revenues immeasurably slashed.
One even more depressing consequence: revenues have been sidetracked into speculative for-profit ventures. Housing authorities, which until recently were anything but free-marker profit-seeking agencies, now need to do so to keep their housing management/refurbishment in order to survive, let alone prosper. Try: Why Do UK Housing Associations Hoard Billions While Their Tenants Suffer Poor Housing?
No wonder all the official scolding by ombudsmen, regulators and other agents of governments that weep crocodile tears1 for all those citizens whose housing is actively decaying. The ombudsmen, regulators, et al are unburdened by direct housing responsibility, and free to point from every possible direction towards those left holding the social housing bag.
Midst endless stories about cookers and heaters that don’t work, rodents and water leaks, elevators that don’t go up, and on and on . . . there is at least one tiny ray of sunshine in Wales, about an event reported by Wales247.co.uk: Social housing provider increases allotment space in a bid to help residents maintain a positive mental health.
