Terry and Sue Smith have set up a housing co-operative to build homes for the community in Langley. ‘Rochdale is the birthplace of co-operation. We’re channelling that spirit.’
‘Justice gap’ is widening due to legal aid cuts and Covid induced deprivation
The ‘justice gap’ is the increasing divide between people who can and cannot afford to pay for legal representation, due to legal aid cuts. With deprivation increasing due to Covid more people face losing their jobs and homes, due to lack of legal counsel.
Greater Manchester Law Centre campaign volunteer Hoejong Jeong explains the legal barriers raised by the state and the pandemic.
Social housing evictions after Covid induced protections end
Following the end of the ‘evictions ban’, Greater Manchester Law Centre did some research into the social housing sector in Greater Manchester. Social housing providers’ responses to Freedom of Information requests were used to consider the arguments against using ‘mandatory grounds’ to make evictions more ‘efficient’.
Planning decisions in Manchester are feeding the fires of inequality and ignoring the housing crisis
The passing of two controversial building proposals in Manchester raises the question – who does the city’s development model serve? A land commission for Greater Manchester could provide answers to that question and point the way to a more equitable use of land in the future.
Put people – not profit – at heart of land use, says Liverpool Land Commission
England’s first Land Commission, facilitated by the Manchester-based Centre for Local Economic Strategies, said Liverpool’s leaders should recognise “the true social purpose of land” rather than seeing it just as a “commodity”.
Hulme residents oppose new student tower blocks and call for community facilities
Hulme residents took to the streets to make their opposition clear to more student tower blocks. “There is nothing else for older people here,” says Sally, who has lived in Hulme since 1969.
Community-led housing’s potential is yet to be realised
Community-led housing is on the rise. Local groups in need of suitable housing in Greater Manchester are being encouraged to get involved in creating genuinely affordable housing tailored to their needs.
Established housing cooperative Homes for Change show what can be achieved when support is provided which allows people to work together to create housing solutions.
The privatisation of Manchester
As Manchester becomes increasingly gentrified and local communities are priced out, a new report on the city’s land use has found a pattern of privatisation and sell-offs – aided and abetted by its Labour council.
‘We’re going to stay here for as long as it takes’ – Ryebank Fields camp occupiers demand a development rethink
Setting up a protest camp in Ryebank Fields, campaigners are calling for Manchester Metropolitan University to rethink their plans to sell the land for development. The camp occupiers call for community control of the land to use as a recreational green space and a haven for wildlife.
Salford Star closure – how Salford council tried to block and discredit the Star
The Salford Star has shut down. This article is a warning to others who may follow, on the pitfalls of founding a genuine publication that aims to give the community a voice and hold public bodies up to account. They will try to discredit you, block information and shut you down.
Here the Salford Star editor, Stephen Kingston, looks at how democracy perished badly under the Salford mayoral system.