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A debate over whether decent housing is a basic human right is long overdue A debate over whether decent housing is a basic human right is long overdue
(3 months later)
One does not have to be a professor of moral or political philosophy to recognise something profoundly amiss about the existence of an estate such as this, so brutal and inhuman in its aspect, being located just a few hundred yards from Canary Wharf, one of the world's greatest money making machines. That this estate is named after a man best noted for taking from the rich and giving to the poor twists this juxtaposition into a bad joke.One does not have to be a professor of moral or political philosophy to recognise something profoundly amiss about the existence of an estate such as this, so brutal and inhuman in its aspect, being located just a few hundred yards from Canary Wharf, one of the world's greatest money making machines. That this estate is named after a man best noted for taking from the rich and giving to the poor twists this juxtaposition into a bad joke.
Thankfully, they are beginning to pull Robin Hood Gardens estate down, replacing it with higher density and more efficiently designed social housing. The number of new homes in Tower Hamlets is growing by 3,000 a year, with 111,000 homes now in the borough, compared with 82,000 in 2003. But in the grand scheme of things, it is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed. The dearth of affordable housing in east London, and throughout the capital generally, is transforming large parts of London into no-go areas for the poor and even for those on moderate incomes.Thankfully, they are beginning to pull Robin Hood Gardens estate down, replacing it with higher density and more efficiently designed social housing. The number of new homes in Tower Hamlets is growing by 3,000 a year, with 111,000 homes now in the borough, compared with 82,000 in 2003. But in the grand scheme of things, it is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed. The dearth of affordable housing in east London, and throughout the capital generally, is transforming large parts of London into no-go areas for the poor and even for those on moderate incomes.
Council waiting lists are getting longer and longer – six years for a two-bedroom flat, 14 years for three bedrooms. And, on top of this, the definition of what counts as affordable housing is now set at 80% of the market rate – a market that is massively inflated by the influx of foreign investors who are buying up property for investment purposes, often leaving property unoccupied and creating the feel of an expensive ghost town.Council waiting lists are getting longer and longer – six years for a two-bedroom flat, 14 years for three bedrooms. And, on top of this, the definition of what counts as affordable housing is now set at 80% of the market rate – a market that is massively inflated by the influx of foreign investors who are buying up property for investment purposes, often leaving property unoccupied and creating the feel of an expensive ghost town.
Alongside this, Margaret Thatcher's right-to-buy revolution – the scrapping of which was announced in Scotland earlier this week – has meant a huge transfer of property from the public to the private sector. In 1981, 86% of property in Tower Hamlets was owned by the council. Today it is 12%. Many of these properties are now rented out on three- and six-month lets, enabling landlords constantly to hike up prices and create the sort of population churn that destroys community solidarity.Alongside this, Margaret Thatcher's right-to-buy revolution – the scrapping of which was announced in Scotland earlier this week – has meant a huge transfer of property from the public to the private sector. In 1981, 86% of property in Tower Hamlets was owned by the council. Today it is 12%. Many of these properties are now rented out on three- and six-month lets, enabling landlords constantly to hike up prices and create the sort of population churn that destroys community solidarity.
All of which makes me want to ask: whose city is this? And what sort of London do we want to have? One debate that we do not seem to be having in this country, and which is beginning to be had elsewhere, especially in the US, is whether housing is a human right.All of which makes me want to ask: whose city is this? And what sort of London do we want to have? One debate that we do not seem to be having in this country, and which is beginning to be had elsewhere, especially in the US, is whether housing is a human right.
I have my own issues with rights language as overly legalistic and individualistic, providing insufficient account of the moral role of the res publica. Moreover, I am generally suspicious of the mission creep of human rights as a cover for all sorts of extraordinary personal demands (the right to Sky Sports in prison etc.), but it remains the case that rights language is a useful lens through which to articulate a sense of just entitlement, and the right to a safe and secure roof over one's head surely has to be high up on that list.I have my own issues with rights language as overly legalistic and individualistic, providing insufficient account of the moral role of the res publica. Moreover, I am generally suspicious of the mission creep of human rights as a cover for all sorts of extraordinary personal demands (the right to Sky Sports in prison etc.), but it remains the case that rights language is a useful lens through which to articulate a sense of just entitlement, and the right to a safe and secure roof over one's head surely has to be high up on that list.
Indeed, the right to decent affordable housing is there is article 25 of the United Nations declaration. Nothing could be more fundamental to human flourishing than the right, regardless of income, to that central setting for the majority of our personal and family life.Indeed, the right to decent affordable housing is there is article 25 of the United Nations declaration. Nothing could be more fundamental to human flourishing than the right, regardless of income, to that central setting for the majority of our personal and family life.
Housing is, of course, a national issue. But in London especially, where the average house price is now over half a million pounds, and where rents are now shooting up eight times faster than wages, the opportunity of getting on the property ladder is beyond the reach of all but those whose salary looks like a telephone number.Housing is, of course, a national issue. But in London especially, where the average house price is now over half a million pounds, and where rents are now shooting up eight times faster than wages, the opportunity of getting on the property ladder is beyond the reach of all but those whose salary looks like a telephone number.
This is such an egregious example of market failure, and threatens to transform a once socially diverse capital into an exclusive playground for the jet set and a cash cow for absentee landlords. Its time we starting thinking about who has the right to the city?This is such an egregious example of market failure, and threatens to transform a once socially diverse capital into an exclusive playground for the jet set and a cash cow for absentee landlords. Its time we starting thinking about who has the right to the city?
Twitter: @giles_fraserTwitter: @giles_fraser
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