|
4 in 10 homes in the North
West are not up to scratch
A shocking 41% of people in the North
West live in homes which fail to meet the 'Living Home Standard' a new
measure of what makes an acceptable home, developed as part of ground breaking
new research released.
Designed to be the housing equivalent of the Living Wage, the new Living Home
Standard has been developed by the public, for the public through a series of
discussion groups, workshops and surveys. For the 1st time it reveals a
measure of what the public think should have from a home in order to live,
rather than just get by.
In a landmark report, Shelter and Ipsos MORI, with support from British Gas,
asked the nation to define what makes an acceptable home. 50 years since the
housing charity was first founded, the Living Home Standard paints a unique
picture of what people need from their homes in Britain today. It is measured
through 5 criteria based on what mattered most to the public, affordability,
decent conditions, stability, space and neighbourhood. Failing 1 or more of
these criteria means the home fails to meet the standard.
The research reveals that most homes fall below the standard due to the impact
of high housing costs, with around 20% of people in the North West living in
homes which fail on affordability.
17% live in homes which fail to meet the standard because of poor conditions,
with problems including persistent pests, damp or safety hazards. And the homes
of 10% of people fail due to instability, largely driven by renters who feel
they don't have enough control over how long they can live in their home.
Shelter Manchester's service manager John Ryan said:- "At Shelter
Manchester we know all too well that a home is much more than bricks and mortar; it's a place that should allow us to live and thrive, rather than just get by.
When Shelter was founded 50 years ago, it was with the hope that one day
everyone would have access to a place they can truly call home. But the sad
truth is that every day we speak to people in North West living in homes that
just aren't up to scratch; from renting families forced to cope with poor
conditions, to all those struggling to keep up with their sky high housing
costs. Now is the time to get to grips with our housing crisis once and for all.
We're calling on the new government, alongside businesses and other charities,
to work with us to increase the number of homes that meet the Living Home
Standard. And in the meantime our expert advisers are here to help anyone
struggling with bad housing in Manchester."
British Gas has been working in partnership with Shelter for 5 years to help
improve conditions in the private rented sector.
Sarwjit Sambhi, Managing Director of UK Home at British Gas, said:- "Our
partnership has changed the lives of thousands of families but this report shows
that there is clearly more to do. Through our customers, we understand what
makes a house a home, and how important a warm and safe environment is for
everyone. As we move towards a future where technology will play a greater role
in our daily lives, the fact that many people do not even have basic levels of
safety, comfort and security is unacceptable."
Praise given to Liverpool Football Club and
Manchester United Football Club supporters
MERSEYSIDE Police have issued a statement about the fans
at the Liverpool Football Club and Manchester United Football Club, on 17
October 2016, at the Premier League game, at Anfield, Liverpool. Merseyside
Police Match Commander Superintendent Paul White said:- "I would like to
thank the fans of both clubs for their exemplary behaviour last night, before,
during and after the game. There is a great rivalry between our fans and it was
pleasing to see supporters being respectful throughout a game watched in over
200 countries." |
 |
Grants will make
neighbourhoods greener
Community gardens, allotments and parks
are all to benefit from a fund aimed at making the City greener.
The Environmental Initiatives Fund was set up by the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe
Anderson, following a recommendation in the Interim Report for the Strategic
Green and Open Spaces Review which called for Community Groups, Schools and
small businesses to be helped to play more active roles in improving their local
environment.
A funding pot of £20,000 was set up and groups were invited to bid for grants of
up to £500.
In the latest round of applications 17 groups will receive a total of £8,236.
Councillor Steve Munby, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said:- "This
brings the number of groups who will have received grants from this fund up to
40.They represent communities from across the City and while the level of grants
may be comparatively small they can still be used to make a positive impact on
local neighbourhoods."
The successful applications are:-
► The League of Welldoers – to construct planters outside their
Community Centre
(£500).
► Tuebrook Hope Group – a contribution towards the installation of solar panels
(£500).
► KFCA – to help create a Community garden at Kensington Fields
Community Centre
(£500).
► Liverpool 6 Community Association - plants and furniture for the Our Place
Garden (£500).
► Merseyside Somali and Community Association; bulbs, plants and equipment for
the Green Fingers project to help members of the Community grow fruit and
vegetables (£475).
► Shrewsbury House Youth and Community Centre - to develop the Clean Up Everton
Park campaign (£500).
► Friends of Princes Park – for tree maintenance work in the park (£469).
► Sefton Park Allotment Society - towards the creation of a
Community heritage
orchard (£500).
► Sactuary Family Support – for plants, herbs, compost and other items to develop
a healing garden (£500)
► Friends of Walton Hall Park – for equipment to be used in the park's forest play
days (£441).
► Ashfield Allotment Association – to buy a Brushcutter and safety equipment to
clear derelict plots (£350).
► That Bloomin' Green Triangle – to plant 5000 bulbs in the Granby Four Streets
area (£500).
► The Cass Foundation – to help establish a new meadow in Croxteth known as The
Cowies (£500).
► Lime Hub Service users – for equipment and materials for use in the Grow it,
Cook it, Eat it project run in conjunction with Squash Nutrition. (£500).
► Faiths4Change – to hold three food growing and seed sharing events as part of
the Growing Together project (£500).
► Friends of Garston Park – to provide a wooden play area for younger children
(£500).
► GTDT Ltd – for activities associated with the Greening Picton project (£500). |
