Hackney Council really need to get their priorities correct when it comes to housing tenants, or should I say in many cases not housing tenants.
I was recently talking to a 73 year-old lady, Mrs Bradley who explained she had been born and bred in London.
For many years she has persistently tried for a council property, without success may I add. This lady has lived in private rented accommodation for over 30 years. She has raised 3 children and also her grandson from birth. He is now aged 28.
When she recently applied yet again to Hackney Council she was told they could only offer her sheltered accommodation, and that would be fine if she was on her own. However, when she mentioned her grandson they were very unhelpful and told Mrs Bradley there was nothing they could do to help him as well.
Mrs Bradley was naturally very upset about this because her grandson has always been there to look after her. It is utterly outrageous that they can treat people like this.
My heart went out to Mrs Bradley at such bad treatment. She was not asking for very much except a place to settle instead of moving to different private properties. All she wants to do is to finish whatever retirement she has in a nice homely environment. Is this really so impossible ?
This treatment is disgusting and I’m ashamed to admit that I live in Hackney.
This is just one case we know about. You have to ask yourself how many more cases are there like this ?
Also, is it any wonder that there is growing anger and animosity at the way the small amount of public housing that is still available is being allocated ?
OK the council has brought in a new bidding system called “choice-based” lettings and many people are happy with it. But what rarely gets mentioned is the fact that it does not increase the housing stock by one single property and people such as Mrs Bradley do not even come into a category for bidding. So much for her choices then !
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