At a recent Public Meeting on the subject of Housing, held by South East Dorset Green Party, a local Shelter manager was welcomed as the guest speaker.
While Dorset may be seen as one of the UK’s most affluent areas, local Shelter manager Kate Parker and many attendees gave examples of some of the real problems faced by local people in finding decent, affordable housing for themselves and their families. Many were shocked by just how weak the so-called ‘safety net’ is and by a number of the specific examples discussed. There was general agreement that real structural changes were required, such as a ‘spirit of ’45’, to resume direct investment in council and other social housing with a real drive for affordable and environmentally friendly property.
As one of a series of local Green Party ‘Open’ Meetings, local Chairman Mark Chivers had explained that the aim of the meeting was to engage the wider community in discussions and policy consideration, hopefully to attract new members but also to inspire people to take action. Feedback from attendees afterwards confirmed that this had been achieved with a number of people contributing generously towards a collection for Shelter to help them continue their essential work locally and nationally.
Helen Woodall
