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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/17/grenfell-parallell-inquiry-fix-broken-housing-system
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| We demand a parallel Grenfell inquiry to fix our broken housing system | We demand a parallel Grenfell inquiry to fix our broken housing system |
| (7 months later) | |
| The terms of the Grenfell Tower public inquiry were announced on Tuesday, two months on from the horrific fire. Knowing what the inquiry will cover should be the start of the road to justice for those who were affected, and to preventing such a tragedy from happening again. But already these hopes are beginning to unravel. | The terms of the Grenfell Tower public inquiry were announced on Tuesday, two months on from the horrific fire. Knowing what the inquiry will cover should be the start of the road to justice for those who were affected, and to preventing such a tragedy from happening again. But already these hopes are beginning to unravel. |
| The Grenfell Tower fire was the end result of a disdainful housing policy | Pilgrim Tucker | |
| The fire and its aftermath were accompanied by unprecedented national outrage. The brutal implications of our racially divided and economically unequal society were laid bare. Residents and campaign groups, including the Radical Housing Network, insist that the causes of the Grenfell fire can only be understood – and a similar disaster can only be averted – by examining the political and social context in which this tragedy took place. | The fire and its aftermath were accompanied by unprecedented national outrage. The brutal implications of our racially divided and economically unequal society were laid bare. Residents and campaign groups, including the Radical Housing Network, insist that the causes of the Grenfell fire can only be understood – and a similar disaster can only be averted – by examining the political and social context in which this tragedy took place. |
| Before the fire the Grenfell Action Group had repeatedly raised concerns about fire safety. That group is a member of the London-wide network of campaigns that makes up the Radical Housing Network, and we made a submission recommending that the inquiry be set up to scrutinise housing policy at national and local level. | Before the fire the Grenfell Action Group had repeatedly raised concerns about fire safety. That group is a member of the London-wide network of campaigns that makes up the Radical Housing Network, and we made a submission recommending that the inquiry be set up to scrutinise housing policy at national and local level. |
| On the day of his appointment, the chairman of the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, suggested that he was “doubtful” that the “much broader investigation” that many residents and local people wanted would be achieved. And now it’s confirmed: the inquiry will look at the immediate causes of the fire and the initial responses of the emergency services, local authority and central government. | On the day of his appointment, the chairman of the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, suggested that he was “doubtful” that the “much broader investigation” that many residents and local people wanted would be achieved. And now it’s confirmed: the inquiry will look at the immediate causes of the fire and the initial responses of the emergency services, local authority and central government. |
| The decision to limit the scope of the inquiry to technical issues will produce an outcome that frames Grenfell as an isolated case, an outlier. It is only by examining the impact of decades of privatisation, deregulation and cuts to social housing, and the associated reinvention of local government as government by private company, that we can truly answer the question of how this tragedy could be allowed to happen in 21st century Britain. | The decision to limit the scope of the inquiry to technical issues will produce an outcome that frames Grenfell as an isolated case, an outlier. It is only by examining the impact of decades of privatisation, deregulation and cuts to social housing, and the associated reinvention of local government as government by private company, that we can truly answer the question of how this tragedy could be allowed to happen in 21st century Britain. |
| Moore-Bick conceded that he can “well understand” that people “feel strongly” that the terms “should include an examination of social housing policy”. Crucially, he argued that these broad questions were best dealt with through a “parallel process” led by social housing experts rather than the inquiry proper. Yet Theresa May, the prime minister – while seeming to address these concerns – has instead severely watered down Moore-Bick’s proposal, merely instructing Alok Sharma, the housing minister, to talk to some social tenants. We cannot have confidence that politicians embroiled in the politics that produced Grenfell can really address the heart of the problem: disinvestment in and mismanagement of social housing. | Moore-Bick conceded that he can “well understand” that people “feel strongly” that the terms “should include an examination of social housing policy”. Crucially, he argued that these broad questions were best dealt with through a “parallel process” led by social housing experts rather than the inquiry proper. Yet Theresa May, the prime minister – while seeming to address these concerns – has instead severely watered down Moore-Bick’s proposal, merely instructing Alok Sharma, the housing minister, to talk to some social tenants. We cannot have confidence that politicians embroiled in the politics that produced Grenfell can really address the heart of the problem: disinvestment in and mismanagement of social housing. |
| The problems that Grenfell revealed are not unique. Across the UK, social housing and regeneration policy has become privatised, squeezing housing budgets; and with that social tenants have been marginalised. They now come second to greed, second to cost efficiencies – as does their safety, and the “unnecessary” regulations that support it. Through our housing network, we see tenants being penalised and ignored by local councils – their concerns not taken seriously even when they vote against regeneration in consultation processes, or submit fully costed proposals on the future of their estates, such as the Aylesbury and Cressingham Gardens in south London. | The problems that Grenfell revealed are not unique. Across the UK, social housing and regeneration policy has become privatised, squeezing housing budgets; and with that social tenants have been marginalised. They now come second to greed, second to cost efficiencies – as does their safety, and the “unnecessary” regulations that support it. Through our housing network, we see tenants being penalised and ignored by local councils – their concerns not taken seriously even when they vote against regeneration in consultation processes, or submit fully costed proposals on the future of their estates, such as the Aylesbury and Cressingham Gardens in south London. |
| Social cleansing policies designed to break up low-income communities strike fear across the capital. More than 50,000 households in London now live in poor-quality temporary accommodation, miles away from their networks – even out of the city itself – as they wait, often for years, for a permanent home. And they risk homelessness if they refuse this “solution”. | Social cleansing policies designed to break up low-income communities strike fear across the capital. More than 50,000 households in London now live in poor-quality temporary accommodation, miles away from their networks – even out of the city itself – as they wait, often for years, for a permanent home. And they risk homelessness if they refuse this “solution”. |
| Tenants on another south London estate, the Ledbury in Southwark, had their gas turned off and were told that they would shortly be evacuated as their blocks are unsafe. But they have just been informed by the council that it will now be next year before the fire safety issues in their homes are dealt with. No wonder people feel that their local authority doesn’t represent them. | Tenants on another south London estate, the Ledbury in Southwark, had their gas turned off and were told that they would shortly be evacuated as their blocks are unsafe. But they have just been informed by the council that it will now be next year before the fire safety issues in their homes are dealt with. No wonder people feel that their local authority doesn’t represent them. |
| Demolishing people's homes doesn't make them better | Paul Sng | |
| Theresa May promised that “no stone will be unturned” in identifying the causes of the Grenfell disaster. But the reality is that her government lacks the political will to address the crisis of our housing system exposed by Grenfell. The prime minister wants us to forget the fact that two months ago more than 80 working class people died in their own homes. But Moore-Bick’s recommendation of a process to investigate social housing policy, and his inclusion of the local authority’s emergency response in the inquiry terms of reference, came after concerted public pressure. When communities refuse to remain silent, things change. | Theresa May promised that “no stone will be unturned” in identifying the causes of the Grenfell disaster. But the reality is that her government lacks the political will to address the crisis of our housing system exposed by Grenfell. The prime minister wants us to forget the fact that two months ago more than 80 working class people died in their own homes. But Moore-Bick’s recommendation of a process to investigate social housing policy, and his inclusion of the local authority’s emergency response in the inquiry terms of reference, came after concerted public pressure. When communities refuse to remain silent, things change. |
| May’s government cannot be let off the hook when urgent examination of the socio-political factors that underpin a housing system riven with discrimination – and that forces people into unsuitable and even dangerous housing – is so seriously needed. | May’s government cannot be let off the hook when urgent examination of the socio-political factors that underpin a housing system riven with discrimination – and that forces people into unsuitable and even dangerous housing – is so seriously needed. |
| We demand an independent parallel inquiry to mount a broad investigation into housing policy and practice. Only then can Grenfell mark a turning point away from a broken and profit-driven housing system where people’s basic needs are sold short – and towards a society where there is decent housing for everyone. | We demand an independent parallel inquiry to mount a broad investigation into housing policy and practice. Only then can Grenfell mark a turning point away from a broken and profit-driven housing system where people’s basic needs are sold short – and towards a society where there is decent housing for everyone. |
| • This article was co-written by Joe Beswick. He and Katya Nasim are campaigners with the Radical Housing Network. | • This article was co-written by Joe Beswick. He and Katya Nasim are campaigners with the Radical Housing Network. |
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