People facing social injustice are locked out of safe, secure housing, say charity experts in new anthology
Nine charity experts have come together to draw attention to the links between housing and social injustice, in a new anthology published today by Commonweal Housing.
The anthology, Locked Out, will be launched alongside a podcast of the same name, in which authors and other guests will share their perspective on the housing needs of people facing social injustice.
The nine essays highlight the housing challenges faced by survivors of violence against women and girls, people in contact with the criminal justice system, and people going through periods of transition – such as young people leaving care.
Written against the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis over spring and summer 2020, many of these essays reflect on how already vulnerable groups have been particularly impacted by the pandemic.
One essay from the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance finds that home is the most dangerous place for survivors of domestic abuse – with 68 per cent of deaths occurring in a victim’s own home. An essay from Katharine Sacks-Jones, CEO of Become, the charity for children in care, finds that housing is the primary issue young care leavers seek advice for – with 26 per cent of care leavers having sofa surfed and 14 per cent having slept rough.
The first episode of the Locked Out podcast will launch on 7th October and feature special guests Steve Douglas CBE, CEO of homelessness charity St Mungo’s, and Jo Richardson, Vice-President of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Ashley Horsey, Chief Executive of Commonweal Housing says: “We are delighted to share this collection of essays that brings together the voices of leading housing and social injustice experts.”
“These authors have shown how housing can be part of the solution to tackling social injustice – just as, sadly, a lack of it or the wrong housing can be the accelerant to social injustices. It is now the role of national and local decision-makers, experts, housing organisations, and the social injustice sector to work together to put a roof over everyone’s head – and meet the needs of everyone under that roof.”
Ashley Horsey – CEO, Commonweal Housing
Connie Muttock and Megan Fereday from Commonweal, co-hosts of the new podcast say: “We are excited to launch this podcast, to share the findings of this powerful new anthology and generate a conversation about how to tackle social injustice through housing.”
“The authors of these essays have decades of experience in the needs and experiences of the people they work with – many of whom have been fighting for their basic housing needs to be met for too long. We are grateful that they have shared their expertise and insight with Commonweal and our podcast listeners.”
Connie Muttock and Megan Fereday, Commonweal Housing
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