Co-living: a new housing model in a broken system

After several months of rejection huge co-living developments are now coming to Manchester. Is it a new form of community living or another extractive product in the city’s ongoing property boom?

With strong links to the city’s financialised student housing sector, is this the type of housing we should be building during Covid-19 and the ongoing housing crisis?

Curious kakapos and violin plots: my data expedition discoveries

Maddy McCormack took a first dive into a data expedition organised by Open Data Manchester.

She discovered that violin plots are not generally created by scheming orchestra members and that you should always question the data, be very thoughtful about power dynamics and keep in mind who the information can hurt and why.

Social housing companies extracting huge shareholder payouts from housing benefits paid to vulnerable tenants

Thirteen registered providers of social housing are using this financialised lease-based model in Greater Manchester. Five have regulatory judgements against them. Wigan is the borough with the highest amount of this type of housing which is fueling substantial dividend payments to shareholders, all derived from public money paid to house people with disabilities. Social housing […]

Northern Quarter residents and councillors speak after Thomas Street weavers cottages are saved from demolition

A controversial proposal to demolish a row of listed 18th century weaver cottages in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter was struck down in the Planning Committee meeting last week. With the survival of the buildings for now secured, how do the victorious campaigners and councillors want this local heritage to be restored and used? […]

‘Diverse, stimulating, exhilarating’ – NEON Spokesperson Network launches in North West

The UK sees exclusion and exploitation, and the UK media landscape fails to platform progressive voices on key economic, political and social issues. Through its Spokesperson Network, NEON trains and supports progressive and diverse voices, equipping spokespeople with skills and confidence for the media spotlight. Applications to become a NEON Spokesperson are open until 31 August.