Lola works in housing and is a member of my UNISON branch. I have a clash tomorrow but I have sent Lola a 3 minute video with our experience in Newham London and some ideas about the future. I will be watching later to find out what is happening in Bir…Read more…
‘I’ve felt like I’m more at risk of exhaustion than COVID-19’
Homeless hostel team leader Sarah talks about how the coronavirus pandemic has made her and her colleagues’ jobs harder than ever
The article ‘I’ve felt like I’m more at risk of exhaustion than…Read more…
Stop Boris from stealing homes from low income families!
Despite the corona virus emergency we must also keep an eye out on what else the government is proposing.
UNISON has spotted that the Tories are proposing to stop local authorities using developers money (so called section 106 money) to fund homes for…Read more…
‘We just want to be listened to’
Homeless people are among the most vulnerable groups in society – indeed while the average person in the UK can expect to live well past 75, the average rough sleeper in Britain will be lucky to live…Read more…
‘No option but to walk out’
Workers at the homelessness charity St Mungo’s are gearing up for three days of strike action from March 16 to 18 inclusive, after last ditch talks, under the auspices of the conciliation service,…Read more…
Busy Labour Movement Day
This morning (Wednesday) started off with a 9am tour and presentation at Anchor House in Canning Town with Councillor colleagues. Anchor House is a former Seaman’s mission which is now is a charity that specialises in supporting single homeless adults….Read more…
“Newham has the highest rate of homelessness in the country, report reveals, as council ramps up support”
Hat tip Newham Recorder
“Newham has the highest rate of homelessness in the country, a report by housing charity Shelter has revealed.
The council says a shortage of social rented property, high private rents and benefit changes are pushing more…Read more…
Visit to ThamesReach Martha Jones House
This morning I went on a visit to Martha Jones House, which is a 50 bed high needs hostel in Vauxhall, run by Thamesreach, a London based charity helping homeless and vulnerable people. I had been invited with my fellow Deputy Mayor (Tower Hamlets not …Read more…
Newham Council Rough Sleeping National Count – 29 November 2019
Picture of local volunteers, Charities, Council & Ministry staff, Councillors and outreach workers in Newham Dockside before the start of the annual national count of Rough Sleepers in Newham 12-3AM.
There were around 40 people split into 10 teams…Read more…
Labour Party Manifesto 2019: Housing
“Everyone has the right to a decent, secure home. In 1945, Labour promised to ‘proceed with a housing programme with the maximum practical speed until every family in this island has a good standard of accommodation’.
In 2019, we renew that pledg…Read more…
A visit to a factory that builds homes
Yesterday Cllr Shaban Mohammed and I went to visit a factory and warehouse operated by Ardmore Group in Enfield. We were invited to attend following a presentation I had heard on how factory built modular housing could help Newham Council tackle our ho…Read more…
Newham Council Rough Sleeping Task Force & Bi Monthly Count
On Wednesday I went to the Newham Council Scrutiny Committee meeting with Homeless officers to present and take questions on where we are with the Rough Sleeping Task Force. We have over 120 people and organisations involved in the Task Force and its v…Read more…
Homelessness ‘crisis’
The UK is in the midst of a homelessness crisis, the Labour Party Conference heard on Wednesday (September 25). Speaking in support of a composite, Unite delegate Joyce Still highlighted the…Read more…
Concerned about someone sleeping rough?
Hat tip Newham Council “If you are concerned about someone who is rough sleeping and medical attention is not immediately required, you can make a referral to StreetLink through their website or call 0300 500 0914 which is charged at nor…Read more…
Why I’m voting yes – part two
In the second of our series of first-hand accounts from Unite members at St Mungo’s on why they’re voting for strike action, we meet a member* who says that “sensible people know that you don’t make…Read more…
‘Make your voices heard’
Unite regional officer Tabusam Ahmed explains why members need to vote in homeless charity St Mungo’s strike ballot
The post ‘Make your voices heard’ appeared first…Read more…
Why I’m voting yes
Unite members at homeless charity St Mungo’s are having to consider taking strike action. In the first of a series, we meet the members having to make this tough choice as they tell us their…Read more…
‘Slippery slope’
Unite has given notice of its intention to ballot members working at the homeless charity, St Mungo’s for strike action after the collapse of Acas talks last Friday (July 26). The ballot of…Read more…
Future pensioner homelessness crisis?
Millennials are facing a homelessness crisis once they retire as the shortage in affordable housing reaches breaking point. More than half a million people under 40 who are unable to afford to…Read more…
St. Mungo’s strike threat
Crunch talks between Unite and the homeless charity St. Mungo’s are set to take place tomorrow (July 12) at the conciliation service Acas in a long running dispute over job security and attacks to…Read more…