Poverty... is everyone's problem... so let's do something about it!
We are bombarded these days with advertising campaigns begging us to spare just three pounds a month for this, four pounds a month for that, x pounds a month for something else... but have you ever noticed how many of those campaigns are based on poverty?
The starving children in Africa...
The abusive child labour in Asia...
The animals forced to work until they drop...
The villagers without a fresh drinking water supply...
All of these, and other issues, tug at the heart strings and are worthy causes in the international fight against poverty; it's a good job we're a nation of charitable givers.
But you know there's an old saying that says charity begins at home and sometimes we fail to see the issues right here on our own doorstep. How many of us take note of the number of people we see living rough on our streets for example?
The old notion of the Gentleman of the Road tramping from village to village and sleeping in farm hay-lofts or under hedgerows may be outdated, but the truth is the number of citizens sleeping rough in the UK increases yearly and is a problem that won't go away until we do something about it.
Most larger towns and cities have shelters where the homeless can spend the odd night. While these are undoubtedly welcome facilities and are doing a great job there are never enough places for those in need, meaning someone is always turned away... that's no fault of the shelter of course, but it's simply not good enough.
I don't claim to have the solution to this problem, but I do have the odd idea that might just help...
There's a vicious circle that needs to be broken and it seems to me it wouldn't be too hard break it; I'm referring to the "can't get a job because I don't have an address, can't get an address because I don't have a job" syndrome.
Let me ask you a question; are there any properties standing empty in your area? If there are, how long have they been standing empty?
There are a number of vacant properties in the Newport area, some of which have been empty for years and simply falling into ruin. What a shame then, these properties couldn't be used as part of a shelter or rehabilitation programme.
Properties in Private Ownership
Generally speaking I'm against compulsory purchase, but it makes me cross to see houses like this 1930 semi-detached standing empty year after year and slowly falling apart.
I'm not sure when the house first became vacant, but it has stood empty for at least five years now.
Then there's this rather nice detached property, which has also been left standing empty for some time.
It would seem criminal in many respects if this property were simply allowed to fall into disrepair too wouldn't it? Can nothing be done? Wouldn't it make sense if a property is no longer wanted, or has stood vacant for so many years, that it can be taken over by the state and put to community use via a government assisted compulsory purchase scheme?
Properties in Community Ownership
On the other side of the coin are properties already in public ownership via community or council housing schemes. These properties fall vacant at times too and are often left unoccupied for protracted periods. Without looking too hard I photographed a selection of empty homes on Monday.
This two bedroom ground floor flat has been vacant and boarded up for over 12 months.
This three bedroom house is empty; neighbours told me squatters moved in six months ago.
I've no idea how long this pair of semi-detached properties have stood empty, but the council has boarded the doors and windows and erected a temporary fence around the boundary of both properties.
Why are these homes stood empty when there are so many people living homeless in the Newport area? It makes no sense to me. Nationally there must be hundreds of such empty properties...
Is there a similar situation in your area? Are you aware of, or do you personally know about, dwellings that are long-term vacant?
Make use of the properties by allowing local shelter organisations to utilise them, or perhaps better still allow those homeless who are genuinely seeking employment to rent them at a reduced rate for a limited period to assist them getting a foot on the working ladder.
Join me by writing to your local MP and asking why properties like those listed above are left standing empty when there are organisations for homeless people who would be glad to use them. Or homeless people in need of short-term accommodation to help get them back into accepted society... together we can make a difference!
Put an end to poverty now!
This post is part of Blog Action Day 08 - Poverty
la_spice
it wasn't.....
LOL... that is sooo true! 
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Excellent posting - well researched