In a leaflet delivered to 77,000 Tyneside homes BridgingNewcastleGateshead, the secretive government committee behind the local pathfinder projects, published the following results to it's questionaire.
Three quarters of people wanted to see a better choice of housing in their area. Nearly 90% of people think that empty and abandoned homes are the main problem and 88% of people want new ways to help people buy their own homes.
All of these are laudible and predictable responses. Of course nowhere is the question asking whether people want their home demolished so there is more housing choice. In Saltwell and Bensham the press are shown several examples of "abandoned" housing in Armstrong Street in order to convince the media of the need for demolition. The owner of most of the "abandoned" housing is Gateshead Council. If the new housing choice comes onstream in Saltwell and Bensham prices will start at ten times the average full time salary for the area thus making purchase for hard working families an ever more remote possibilty.
The problem with BridgingNewcastleGateshead surveys is that they ask leading questions. Of course everyone wants better choice and people want to own their own home. However if you live in an inner city choice is restricted by space and if you are on a low wage you might not be able to afford the home of your dreams. Aspirational questions are bound to get answers that support people's hopes and imply that housing renewal can deliver. Unfortunately housing renewal cannot deliver higher wages or low cost mortages so ultimately the process may build unrealistic expectations only to let people down.
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