Letters: Repeal squatting laws. The crime is leaving homes empty, not their occupation 

Big Issue readers respond to news about empty homes with strong views on squatting, the remarkable story behind The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and the news that London’s first homeless detox centre is set to close.

Responses to: Half a million empty homes are hiding in plain sight

The solution has to be making these homes available to those in need. Owners should be encouraged to house people. Incentives should be given. 

Zulf Ali, Facebook

I think they should be compulsorily purchased. 

Maggie Caudwell, Facebook

I was in our town centre the other day and realised how much property above the shops is unused and empty. If this was all brought back into use it would not only be able to rehouse desperate people, but also bring people into our deserted town centres. 

Julia Holloway, Facebook

That’s what squatting was always about. Direct people power is always the fastest solution. If the owner has abandoned a property, after six months empty/neglected it should become public property and a grant made available to do it up. 

Tina Comparini, Facebook

Repeal the anti-squatting laws. The crime should be leaving homes empty, not their occupation! 

Nathaniel Harris, Facebook

The new laws are now stopping people renting places out. Small landlords are giving up. 

Sebastian Wakefield, Facebook

It’s not only about properties locked into probate/inheritance issues. The main problem is foreign investors using property in UK as tax loss/possible money laundering. 

It has been a problem for a long time, certainly since the 1970s. It’s estimated 1.4 million domestic residences are empty across the UK. 

Geraldine Purcell, Facebook

Empty homes could be regulated if there were political will to serve the people rather than political will to protect personal assets. 

Jules Helen, Facebook

How to unlock them? Limit how many properties a person can own would make a good start. 

Claire Munroe, Facebook

I tried to report empty homes to our council and they said they are no longer taking such information. 

Marianne Cash, Facebook

Another level 

Thank you for Issue 1711. I don’t often buy Big Issue and sometimes just pay the vendor to support them but then don’t get round to reading it. Issue 1711 has enraptured me. I haven’t been so touched and enthralled in a long time but the account of William Kamkwamba’s incredible achievement rescuing his family and community from the appalling hunger, poverty, desperation and hopelessness against all the odds blew me to another level.  

I felt so ignorant that I hadn’t already assimilated this tale of such courage and commitment in the face of almost every imaginable obstacle. I immediately found and watched the film [The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind] and hope to catch the musical, though I don’t live anywhere near London. There must also be other such enterprising and innovative people/youngsters around and I, for one, would welcome further similar accounts in Big Issue. 
Jacqueline Simpson, Leeds

Read more:

• Squatters rights in the UK: Everything you need to know
• Inside London’s longest-running squat: ‘It was a really extraordinary community’
• ‘I’m worried where these people will sleep’ says MP after riot police evict homeless shelter in a squat

Cover stars

I just wanted to say thank you for the lovely issue where children had designed a cover for the magazine. Children have a wonderful ability to see things clearly before adults complicate things too much. Peace is the answer. If the world stopped wasting money on war and conflict there would be plenty for everybody’s needs. Thank you.  

Kate Taylor, Thornbury

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On socials or email letters@bigissue.com

Local hero 

Anyone who doubts Scotland produces heroes any more should be aware of an amazing person: Albert Dickie. 

This is a man who suffers from cancer, Parkinson’s and a brain tumour. Following the death of his dear wife several years ago, he had suicidal thoughts. His GP advised him to contact telephone befrienders The Good Morning Service, and such was the improvement to his mental health that he was able to rebuild his confidence and self-esteem. 

Albert was so grateful that he now campaigns tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for the charity. Brave, modest, kind-hearted and down-to-earth, Albert deserves an award for his spectacular work to promote a life-saving organisation. 

Stephen McCarthy, Glasgow 

Responses to: London’s first homeless detox centre set to close

This is horrible news! I’m heartbroken for the community that needs this so badly. I really hope someone or some branch of government steps in to stop this from happening. 

gerrmacprette, Instagram

How many broken lives at a greater cost to society in general will this decision cause? #EndHomelessness

paulmiller8274, Instagram

Pushing the issue somewhere else doesn’t make the issue go away. It’s sad but this is happening more and more. 

communitykitchen_kh, Instagram

How has @ukparliament not learned that a lot of issues in society were caused by closing down mental health hospitals (selling the land to developers) to replace it with “care in the community”? If you want to get homelessness, crime or unemployment down you need to invest in mental health and rehabilitation not destroy it even further.  

floatingdesigner_uk, Instagram

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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