In this session we discussed:
Section 39 Land Compensation Act 1973
In particular whether housing association tenants are entitled to rehousing and compensation if they have to be decanted so that repair works can be carried out at their home. None of us knew the answer to this one of the top of our heads. A visit to the Shelter Website page Compensation for people displaced from their home led to the finding that such payments are not usually available. Karis found Ben Reeve-Lewis’ 2020 post Does a Prohibition Order end a tenant’s right to occupy? which considers the impact of a Prohibition Order on a Tenancy and also covers Section 39 in passing.
Supported Housing
We also discussed Supported Housing and how what sounds like a great idea can often work out as a nightmare in reality. That is to say vulnerable people get thrown into prison like environments where their conditions deteriorate and they can be thrown out again for getting on the wrong side of the staff. This lead to a wider discussion on how good intentions turn bad in this sector. Other examples include children being placed “In Care” which has become a term which strikes fear into the hearts of many and Social Services who most people especially those most in need of social support want to stay as far away from as possible.
We recognised that there will always be a need for people to live in housing where they get support but the services and that it would be good to hear from anyone who has had a positive experience of these institutions as as people who work in them.
We identified books on the subject including :
My Name Is Why by Lemn Sissay
The Revolution Won’t Be Funded by Incite!
The Most Good You Can Do By Peter Singer
Toxic Charity By Robert D Lupton
We mentioned the Facebook Group – Housing Advice UK as a good place for information in this area
The next LiveStream Session will be at 7:30pm on 14 October. Comments / Questions can be added anytime from now until then via this link
There is also the Homelessness Best Practice Livestream at 7:30pm every Thursday.