United Kingdom

UN rights expert warns of regression on the right to adequate housing in the United Kingdom

Published in Wednesday September 11th, 2013

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on housing expressed serious concern about a deterioration in the enjoyment of the right to adequate housing in the United Kingdom.

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UK Mission ends next week – Newsletter #38

Published in Tuesday September 3rd, 2013

Find out more about the Rapporteur’s mission to the UK, the news on the Security of Tenure project and the selection for new rapporteurs.

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UN rights expert to assess housing issues in the UK

Published in Monday August 26th, 2013

The Special Rapporteur will visit the United Kingdom from 29 August to 11 September to assess policies and programmes to address issues of social housing, among others.

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Check the responses received from countries for the security of tenure questionnaire

Published in Monday August 19th, 2013

Read the responses sent by governments to the Questionnaire on Security of Tenure. They will inform the Special Rapporteur’s final report to the HRC and other related guidance.

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Rapporteur participates in different activities in Europe. Next mission will be in UK – Newsletter #37

Published in Monday August 5th, 2013

Know more about the Rapporteur’s activities in Europe and her next mission to the United Kingdom.

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10,000 families in Wales subjected to repossession or eviction claims in last year

Published in Monday May 27th, 2013 In In the media

A charity branded the figure “shocking” and the Welsh Government said it was “very concerned” at the effect UK Government welfare reforms and current economic conditions were having on people in Wales. In total, 3,806 claims were started by banks against mortgagees in Wales in 2012/3. Of these, 1,355 ended in bailiffs removing homeowners.

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UK spends £2bn housing homeless in B&Bs, hostels and shelters

Published in Monday May 20th, 2013 In In the media

The UK has spent almost £2bn housing vulnerable homeless families in short-term temporary accommodation, according to figures that demonstrate the scale of Britain’s housing crisis.

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The future’s communal: meet the UK’s self-build pioneers

Published in Wednesday May 8th, 2013 In News

A new co-housing development of 41 homes has just been completed here – and all without a developer in sight. By sharing facilities, the Forgebank community aims to solve these problems, reducing costs and environmental impact. It has its own laundry and a workshop with shared tools. There are two guest bedrooms, freeing up space in individual houses, and a huge kitchen, dining room and living area in the common house, as well as a shared playroom – complete with big box of communal Lego.

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Landmark legislation to end homelessness comes into force in Scotland

Published in Friday May 3rd, 2013

In November 2012, the Parliament of Scotland adopted the Homelessness (Abolition of Priority Need Test) (Scotland) Order 2012, and the law came into force on 31 December. The legislation aims to effectively end homelessness by entitling all people facing homelessness unintentionally a right to settled accommodation.

A terrace house for £1 or £250m – Britain’s bizarre housing crisis

Published in Wednesday April 24th, 2013 In In the media

News in austerity Britain is not short on grotesque juxtapositions, but there was one this week that was just so spectacular that it couldn’t pass without comment. In the same week, terrace houses were expected to change hands in different parts of the country for £250m and £1.