Advertisement
Opinion

Reader’s RORA idea: “We need to do housing totally differently”

As part of our Ride Out Recession Alliance, Judith Parry shares her own experiences and how they’ve shaped her vision of how to solve the housing crisis. We’d love to hear your own ideas. Get in touch at rora@bigissue.com

We asked readers to contribute their ideas on how to tackle the homelessness crisis as part of our Ride Out Recession Alliance. Today we’re sharing The Big Issue reader Judith Parry’s suggestions:

Hello,

Along my own personal journey, I have gleaned some info about what works for people who are on the edge, who feel powerless and purposeless, voiceless and ignored. I have also by painful experience learned what doesn’t work. There are some fabulous models of community living out there, from the dementia supportive houses in Hogeway in the Netherlands, to Soteria housing, where people with poor mental health are supported to pool resources, space and homes, but not disempowered or infantilised. A recent project by the excellent DIY SOS team, integrating veterans into a community and bringing in extra support for all, is another blueprint.
To get to the point: we need to do housing totally differently. No more little boxes with only one person, or characterless flat-packs with families that don’t even know each other and no community resources, work or leisure. We need to be purposeful in how we design — redesign even — what housing looks like. Loneliness is a blight, and if Covid-19 has done anything for us, it has reconnected us to our neighbours. Let’s build intentional communities, villages of sorts, where this is not only possible, but inevitable. Try it. Start with one. Somewhere in South Wales (to where I will soon be returning) perhaps. A Wellbeing of Future Generations inspired design, with work, and community, and opportunity and learning and creativity embedded in it. Why not have gardens, farm animals, workshops and schools? And shared accommodation for those who would like it. The opportunity for elders to sit with youngsters, alleviating the loneliness, sharing the wisdom, and giving the parents some time to – well, what? Learn, build or just sleep?
Yes, I am an idealist. Maybe even a crazy idealist (is there any other kind?) I have had this blueprint in mind for so very long, but I haven’t known where to start. Maybe this is where. To put it into words, to take the opportunity offered by crisis, and air it more widely. To see if 2020 is the year my vision starts to become reality. What do you think…?
Thanks, and all the best with RORA.
Judith Parry
(Idealist, Community Builder and Autist)

Do you think Judith could have it right with her vision of the future? Do you have your own big ideas on how we can prevent homelessness and protect jobs in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic? Let us know at rora@bigissue.com

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

Read All
The budget was a start from Labour – but we need much more to transform disabled people's lives
rachel reeves preparing for autumn budget
Chloe Schendel-Wilson

The budget was a start from Labour – but we need much more to transform disabled people's lives

Big Shaq comedian Michael Dapaah: 'Young people are the future – I want to help them to thrive'
Michael Dapaah

Big Shaq comedian Michael Dapaah: 'Young people are the future – I want to help them to thrive'

Labour's autumn budget was another failure to make real change for disabled people
rachel reeves
Mikey Erhardt

Labour's autumn budget was another failure to make real change for disabled people

Nitazenes are claiming homeless lives. Here's how one group is fighting the deadly threat
a syringe and pills of drugs
Anthony Vaughan

Nitazenes are claiming homeless lives. Here's how one group is fighting the deadly threat

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue