Often when I do TV, older right wingers use the "you wouldn't defend council housing if you lived on an estate" line. I do, as do many people I know. Here's why: 40% of buy to let homes now rented out by private landlords: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/08/right-to-buy-homes-owned-private-landlords?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other …
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They haven't been to an estate in decades if ever, but continue to push this dystopian vision of them as no-go areas. They've been flogged, especially in London. We need that social stock back rather than just offering kickbacks for private developers.
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And one of the reasons younger people aren't revulsed by the idea of council housing is they've seen that the communities have accidentally become mixed rather than ghettoised, and work, so should be replicated, to make more affordable communities.
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Also imagine the boost to the community if rent & housing benefit were lower: your spending power goes up and into the local economy, govt expenditure on HB goes down, social rent is reinvested by the council instead of lining a private landlord's pocket.
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Arguments against building council housing are always focused on punching down - "I worked hard to get my house, why should other people get something for nothing?" They're not, they're just paying affordable rent rather than bumping up profits, and secure, stable homes save ££££
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Temporary accommodation is incredibly expensive, homelessness is incredibly expensive, and the costs to the NHS and schools from poor housing, stress and mental illness is huge before we even consider personal loss of quality of life.
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End of conversation
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Consider that there were several private owners and renters in Grenfell Tower, including those who died. It was thought a good place to live, great views, diverse community etc.
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