The Housing Crisis in England – A Consensus Is Needed Now
November 12, 2021
Everyone pretty much agrees that we are in a housing crisis. At its simplest
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Everyone pretty much agrees that we are in a housing crisis. At its simplest
At KeyStone, as we continue to ramp up and increase our property portfolio, some
Have a look at our property on Cavendish Street in a Birkenhead!
#property #investment #socialhousing #housingcrisis #homelessness #birkenhead #propertymarket #uk
How many households are currently experiencing homelessness? How many homes need to be made available to solve our housing shortage?
The answers to these questions vary depending on the organisation reporting on these topics. The differing statistics can be confusing and oftentimes divert attention from the crux of the issue: solving the housing crisis.
We need to come to a consensus on these answers so we can all work together and end homelessness once and for all.
Change takes time.
#housingcrisis #housing #property #propertyinvestment #makingadifference
Have a look at what we have been up to this past month at KeyStone!
#keystone #housingcrisis #propertyinvestment #property #affordablehousing #housing #change
Since the Universal Credit uplift was cut on the 6th of October, low income households have been left in an impossibly difficult position. However, the Chancellor of the Exchequer tried to reverse the impact of his Budget announcement on Wednesday.
Rishi Sunak made a variety of promises, chief among which were a reduction in the Universal Credit 'taper rate' from 63p to 55p for every £1 earned – meaning individuals don't feel as discouraged to work - coming no later than the 1st of December this year and an increase in minimum wages across the board next April, including taking the national living wage from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour.
#housingcrisis #housing #affordablehousing #change #propertyinvestment #properties
Fixing the building safety crisis could mean that less affordable homes will be built in the coming years. Swipe for more information:
Swipe to see this month’s property market update:
We can no longer accept temporary solutions for long-term problems.
#temporaryaccomodation #housingcrisis #housing #waitinglist #properties #
Swipe to read about Sadiq Khan's plans to provide more affordable and social housing in London.
#housingcrisis
#properties
#affordablehousing #housing #change
We don’t just give our tenants somewhere to live, we give them a home. We provide long-term secure tenancies that remove the anxiety that short-term, temporary lettings cause to families. By housing families in a stable place they can call home, we give vulnerable people the footing to rebuild and transform their lives.
As our new projects start to move forward rapidly, it’s important for us not to get sidetracked and lose sight of our goals.
Our team meeting last Friday was really enlightening in clarifying the areas we need to be focusing on
#housingcrisis #housing #team #propertyinvestment
Universal Credit and affordable housing are inherently linked. Since the end of the Universal Credit uplift on the 6th of October, families have be struggling to stay on top of bill payments and have been forced to go to food banks due to their circumstances.
Not everyone claiming Universal Credit is unemployed: many working people also receive payments because the wages they earn are simply not enough to live on. There are around 6 million claimants on UC and over 2 million of them are employed, meaning that this change will not impact just the jobless, but many of the low earners too. At KeyStone, we're picking up the pieces and are striving to provide affordable housing for all.
#housingcrisis #community #change #housing
Have a look at what we have been up to this past month at KeyStone!
Have a look at what’s been happening this past month in the property market:
The importance of having a home should not be understated. Everyone should have the right to have a place they can call their own.
Here are some beautiful cards from Homeless Made.
Homeless Made provides a platform for artists who are homeless or living with a mental health condition to exhibit their work and to earn an income.
The Artist receive a 50% of the profits and using the remaining to help other people get off the streets."
We are converting derelict houses into long term family homes.
#affordablehousing
#housingcrisis #homelessness #renovation #properties #change
Can current property prices be explained using the 18-Year Property Cycle?
First look at our property on Spring Street, Wigan. More to come soon…
“Refugees are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, with same hopes and ambitions as us - except that a twist of fate has bound their lives to global refugee crisis on an unprecedented scale”
New beginnings.
#homelessness #temporaryaccomodation #housingcrisis #affordablehousing #change #makeadifference
August was definitely a great month for us. There was a lot of exciting changes and events that happened. A lot of growth and expansion, as well new additions to our team.
The pandemic has meant that we have all had to adapt and evolve with the times. Working from Home and online meetings have become the new normal, and now more than ever have we realised the importance of technology to allow us to continue working and build our businesses even under the harshest of circumstances.
#homelessness #temporaryaccomodation #housingcrisis #affordablehousing #change #makeadifference
Last week our team organised viewings for our newest property in Birkenhead! It was great to meet everyone who attended the viewings and show them around what could be their future long-term home.
#properties#propertyinvestment#socialenterprise#affordablehousing
Have a look at this month’s property market update:
We are excited to welcome some new members to the team! Together we will continue to make a positive and long-lasting impact on the vulnerable families we house across the UK, as well as alleviate the crippling poverty and dismal housing situation we are currently facing. The problem won't go away immediately but we are working to have a significant impact in the future.
On the 21st of July, KeyStone attended Bond Wolfe's record breaking auction. Properties were selling left, right and centre, generally far above the guide price.
We were in the mix for four properties in Merseyside, Wigan and Leigh. All of these properties sold for more than three times their guide prices and possibly more than they were worth.
The success of the Bond Wolfe auction really emphasises the heat of the current market. Do you think these numbers are sustainable? Or do we see a major shake up on the horizon as factors such as the end of stamp duty holiday and furlough kick in? Keep tuned in as KeyStone will have a front row seat either way.
New government statistics outlined the fact that nearly 100,000 households in England are currently living in temporary accommodation.
This number has increased rather drastically compared to last year, with just over 88,000 households living in temporary accommodation in 2020.
It’s obvious that our country needs to deliver more genuinely affordable homes so that vulnerable families can finally begin rebuilding their lives and work towards a happier and healthier future.
Our work is so much more than just the property- we also hope to transform lives.
With numbers this high it’s impossible to ignore the importance of good housing for one’s mental (and physical) well-being. Everyone deserves a safe, secure home so they can thrive in life. This is why we do what we do.
Mental health and housing are inextricably linked. Issues related to housing can aggravate your mental health, while poor mental health makes is much harder to deal with housing problems. Swipe to find out more:
July has been one of our busiest months yet! Have a look and see what we have done:
Property values keep getting higher with no end in sight. Swipe to find out why.
Have a look at what’s been happening this past month in the property market:
Thank you to @unseentours and Viv, our amazing tour guide, for such a wonderful tour last week!
It was a great mix of Viv’s own personal history as someone who has experienced homelessness, as well as learning more about lesser-known landmarks in Covent Garden.
Definitely recommend everyone to go on an Unseen Tour- we will be going again soon!
With stats like these it’s hard to see why more isn’t being invested in social housing.
The Mayor of London wants to add to the stock of council housing by buying back Right to Buy homes… swipe to see why:
There is strength in numbers. We should be working together to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We believe in the power of partnerships and that is why we are committed to building strong relationships with like-minded organisations to further our cause.
More than one million children in England live in bad housing; therefore more than one million children will be impacted severely by the long-term effects of their housing.
Overcrowding, unfit conditions, continual disruption – children in bad/temporary accommodation face significant educational hurdles.
That’s why a house is more than just a home: it’s an opportunity to live a better life.
Have a look at what we have been up to this past month:
It costs less to address the issue of homelessness than it does to turn a blind eye to it.
Here’s a snippet of what’s been happening in the property market this past month:
Swipe to see why you should invest in Northampton:
Have a look why we are keen to expand our work to Northampton in our mission to house as many vulnerable families as possible:
When you don’t know how long you’re staying, it’s hard to commit to a community. This can further deepen feelings of isolation and frustration. We provide a home for at least five years – with the option to buy at the end of every tenancy – enabling families to put down roots, build emotional connections and make a positive contribution to their neighbourhood.
The fact of the matter is that not enough homes are being built for those who need it most.
With this in mind, we at KeyStone help tackle the housing shortages for social tenants by buying and renovating long-term empty homes, leasing the properties to local authorities, and ensuring that vulnerable families are housed in suitable homes.
Today marks the four year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire. We pause to remember and pay our respects to the 72 who lost their lives, to those who have lost their loved ones, and to those who continue to be affected by this tragedy.
There are approximately 60,000 families stuck in temporary accommodation in England.
Everyone deserves to have a long-term, secure house they can call home, which is why we are devoted to achieve this.
Although they are often used interchangeably, there is a big difference between social rents and affordable rents.
The number of social homes with social rents in the UK has decreased dramatically over the past couple of years. Instead we are seeing a trend towards building more affordable housing which, despite the name, is still unaffordable for many.
We need to increase the stock of social housing in the UK so people can actually live in genuinely affordable homes.
This #pridemonth we wanted to shed light on the shocking statistics from @aktcharity surrounding LGBTQ+ young people and homelessness in the UK.
Have a look at what we’ve been up to this past month:
Earlier this week we met with Barons Court Project, a charity who provides support for those who are homeless/ on low incomes, as well as those who suffer with mental health issues in the Hammersmith and Fulham area.
We gained valuable insight from Barons Court Project on how they have been able to make such a profound impact on their community by:
- supporting the homeless into secure accommodation
- providing one-to-one job coaching and ultimately getting those in need into employment
All of which we hope to do ourselves in the North West.
Thank you @baronscourtproject for meeting with us. We look forward to collaborating with you and sharing ideas to achieve some of the goals our organisations have in common.
Have a swipe to see what the current housing situation is in Leeds and why we want to help:
There’s a lot of things we take for granted when we have a long-term, secure home... access to a bank account being one of them.
This is a luxury most of us don’t even think about; however, those without bank accounts can be trapped in homelessness.
Having access to a bank account offers people a way to receive payments and save money.
But this is only possible by having an address.
Here’s a brief look at what’s been happening in the property market this past month and how you can make the most of it:
Have a look at the first property we purchased at KeyStone!
Some mistakes were made... a lot of lessons were learnt... but ultimately we are grateful for our experience with this property as it has helped us grow stronger as a company and as property experts.
You can make a difference.
Every pound you invest will be used to purchase and renovate an empty property. You’ll receive 60 monthly interest payments and your initial loan back after five years.
Meanwhile, you’ll have housed a vulnerable family, changed the face of a community and improved wellbeing for all. It’s as simple (and rewarding) as that.
Want to know what the recent election results mean for housing in the UK? Swipe now!
It’s #mentalhealthawareness week this week so it’s important to highlight the ways in which housing can deeply affect one’s mental health.
Please visit the following link from @mindcharity if you or someone you know needs any extra information/support on how to cope: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/housing/housing-and-mental-health/
Have you been to Wigan? Comment with a heart ❤️ emoji if you have!
Comment your thoughts on the rise of property prices during the coronavirus pandemic down below!
COVID-19 has exposed the gross shortage of suitable affordable and social housing in this country.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of households with children made homeless in England has increased by nearly 30%.
Now, more than ever, we need to invest in housing and invest in people.
We are working with Wigan Council to house as many vulnerable families as possible who are currently living in temporary, unsuitable accommodation. Swipe to see why have targeted this city:
More and more housing associations are partnering with for-profit housing providers in order to continue their housing development schemes. Read on to find out more:
Housing and health are inextricably linked.
Whether through the stress of moving or the lack of stable access to healthcare, poor housing has a profound impact on physical and mental health.
This is why we at KeyStone have highlighted health issues related to housing as something we need to address.
By swiftly moving people into a long-term home, that meets all health and safety requirements, we help improve health outcomes from day one.
Here’s a brief look at what’s been happening in the property market this past month:
Our work in the North West continues to grow, as does the impact we make. Here’s a look at one of our properties in Knowsley:
The importance of having a stable, long-term home should not be understated.
We house vulnerable families living in temporary accommodation across the UK so that they finally have a chance to live an easier and better life.
Single mothers are hit hardest in the housing crisis.
In England, 93,490 households are in temporary accommodation. Over 38% (36,170) of those households are comprised of single mothers with dependent children.
This is striking when compared to the fact that only 3.2% (2,970) of those total households include single fathers with dependent children.
We aim to make a real long term difference to families by providing affordable homes and more. We have aligned our own personal impact goals at KeyStone with those from the UN’s list of Sustainability Development Goals.
The next SDG we have focused on is Goal 4: Quality Education.
Overcrowding, unfit conditions, continual disruption – children in temporary accommodation face significant educational hurdles. But with a stable space to study – and access to a single school they can commit to – children in low-income families can improve their grades, their wellbeing and their lifelong opportunities.
More than one million children in England live in bad housing. What does bad housing mean for children and their educational?
Poor housing affects children’s ability to learn at school and study at home.
- Homeless children are 2-3 times more likely to be absent from school due to the temporary nature of their accommodation
- Children living in unsuitable and overcrowded homes miss school more frequently due to higher risk of illnesses and infections
- Bad housing means that children generally have lower educational attainment, which leads to greater likelihood of unemployment and continued poverty.
A good home is more than just a place to live. It’s a chance to build a better life.
A roundup of everything we have done so far at KeyStone.
We have targeted North West England in our mission to breathe new life into empty homes, and to move as many vulnerable families as possible from temporary accommodation into a more permanent home.
Have a look why we have focused on this region:
As part of our mission to move families out of temporary accommodation and into permanent homes, we have been focussing on Liverpool and surrounding areas. Have a look at our recent work in Birkenhead:
We aim to make a real long term difference to families by providing affordable homes and more. We have aligned our own personal impact goals with those from the UN’s list of Sustainability Development Goals.
The first SDG we have focused on is Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Everything starts with a place to live. By housing families quickly – in a safe and healthy space – we give vulnerable people the footing to rebuild their lives. While our ongoing support through training and employment opportunities helps to improve their overall prospects.
Liverpool is one of the cities we have targeted in our journey to house as many vulnerable families as possible. Have a look why:
In the UK, over 120,000 children live in unsuitable and overcrowded temporary accommodation.
We house vulnerable families quickly - in a safe and healthy space - giving vulnerable children a chance to build their futures.
The majority of homeless people are hidden from official statistics and services. We want to find a place for the hidden homeless.
Based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, we have our own goals to make a lasting and immediate impact on the hidden homeless.
Housing is a women’s rights issue.
In light of International Women’s Day earlier this week, we have dedicated our first “Spotlight On” to showcasing how structural gender inequality deeply affects women’s access to safe and suitable housing.
Our homes are our foundations.
At KeyStone, we provide a stable home to vulnerable families, giving us the chance to build futures and transform lives.
Every pound you invest will be used to purchase and renovate an empty property. You’ll receive 60 monthly interest payments and your initial loan back after five years.
Meanwhile, you’ll have housed a vulnerable family, changed the face of a community and improved wellbeing for all. It’s as simple (and rewarding) as that.
“I would like my money to make a real difference to young lives. Helping families to secure a long-term home is a great place to start.”
– Dhruv Patel