The councils building again (and other solutions to the housing crisis)

ISSUE 526, NOVEMBER 2014

*SPECIAL FOCUS ON HOUSING*

CAN COUNCILS BUILD THEIR WAY OUT OF THE HOUSING CRISIS?
London councils are beginning to build again and take back control of housing. But is it enough to stop the capital’s housing crisis spiralling out of control?

Q & A WITH TONY STACEY: ‘WE ARE ALREADY AT ROCK BOTTOM’
Placeshapers is a network of more than 100 housing associations forging an alternative narrative about the role social landlords can play in localities. Chair Tony Stacey talks to New Start about getting to grips with the housing crisis

LILAC CO-HOUSING: HOW THEY DID IT
Co-housing developments are built around community and sustainability but can they also be affordable? Susan Downer visits Lilac in Leeds to find out.

COMMENT: MY EXPERIENCE AT A HOUSING ASSOCIATION THAT WON’T PAY THE LIVING WAGE

IDEAS FOR CHANGE: COMMUNITY-LED SELF-HELP HOUSING
A new era of housing organisations are coming up from the streets, taking over empty properties and helping re-build communities, as Jon Fitzmaurice explains.

FROM THE ARCHIVE: WHAT’S BEING CAST ASIDE IN THE QUEST FOR MIXED COMMUNITIES?

POWER TO THE PEOPLE: EVIDENCING TRUE SOCIAL VALUE
Only by talking and listening to those whose lives they are hoping to change can housing organisations understand the ‘true’ social value of their work, say Jenny Rouse and Matt Bowen