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From: The Socialist issue 918, 28 September 2016: #CorbynWins: No compromise on fighting austerity

Search site for keywords: Housing - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition - Homes - Council - Bedroom tax - Lincolnshire

Washdyke v Shoreline: the housing battle in Immingham

Housing demo, London, 13.3.16, photo J. Beishon (Click to enlarge)

Mat Harrison

More than 60 residents from the Washdyke flats estate made the short journey to the Immingham resource centre to voice their objection to the demolition of their homes by Shoreline, the housing association that North-East Lincolnshire Labour council has outsourced social housing to.

This third residents' meeting was once again organised by the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) and chaired by Dave Mitchell, who earlier that day had been interviewed by Look North and the local radio stations.

During one interview he had been mistaken for a Shoreline representative and pelted with eggs! After some discussion with the resident, Dave was able to carry on with the interview.

With questions repeatedly being asked about the bedroom tax and how it will affect residents if they were to move into two or three bedroom housing, the biggest concern for Shoreline was clearly a lack of one bedroom housing within the Immingham area, with social housing at an all-time low.

Afford

The Shoreline representative also pointed out that people would only be allowed into two bedroom housing if they could afford it. It was suggested by the rep that Shoreline was doing residents a favour because housing associations wouldn't consider letting anyone have a property bigger than their absolute needs, even if they could afford it.

The 'consultation' deadline has now passed. The next residents meeting will elect a committee based on at least one rep from each of the 18 blocks, who will organise the next stage of the campaign to resist demolition and fight for alternative social housing in the Immingham area.

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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.