New Government Fund for Redeveloping Empty Properties

Kazuri welcomes news that the government is to launch a campaign to refurbish empty homes in order to tackle the housing shortage. 

There are 1million empty properties in the UK and a third of these have been empty for six months or more. These long term empty properties need to be redeveloped in order to house those in need of social housing. 

The communities minister, Don Foster, announced today that government funds will be made available in order to redevelop empty properties. Local councils, housing associations and social enterprises will be able to bid for grants from the £300m fund. 

It is hoped that the redevelopment of empty properties will go some way to readdress the housing shortfall that currently stands at more than 100,000 homes a year. 

Unlock's the Record presents The Women's Issue 'Sex and the System'

The Record is a fantastic free magazine produced by the award-winning charity UNLOCK, the National Association of Reformed Offenders. It is written by reformed offenders, for reformed offenders. This month sees the first ever 'women's only' edition of the Record guest edited by Farah Damji, former prisoner, ex journalist, reformed socialite now running a social lettings agency and campaigning for change in the way women in the criminal justice system are treated.  This issue is also endorsed by best selling author Martina Cole and features an exclusive interview with Martina. This month’s magazine cover is by Sarah Lucas.

Out at the end of the week, this month’s issue will see fabulous femme ex-offenders share their untold stories. These positive success stories from reformed offenders hope to inspire law-abiding people facing discrimination and inequality as a result of having a criminal record. This issue will also contain the latest opportunities for reformed offenders, including job vacancies, volunteer position, consultation opportunities, upcoming event and other information, advice and recent news that relates to reformed offenders.

The first ever ‘women’s only’ edition of the monthly magazine by UNLOCK, The National Association of Reformed Offenders, is so important as this issue will highlight the way systemic abuse and entrenched violence in our public institutions and our personal lives impacts against women. Documenting violence in all its forms: domestic abuse, financial exclusion, the media’s portrayal of female defendants, punitive sentencing, exclusion by enforced separation of the children of female offenders and their families by women being incarcerated hundreds of miles from their communities and roots. 

Containing first hand accounts of women prisoners’ stories, through their voice, art and case studies, this issue will examine what needs to change!

Celebrating the Success of Women

The Financial Mail Women’s Forum (FMWF) is hosting an event, in partnership with Lloyds Banking Group and Halifax, on the 27^th November. This evening will see the winners of the Fresh Start Awards announced, these awards are for women with great business ideas, who hope to become entrepreneurs when they leave prison.

Best selling author, Martina Cole, who was head of the judging panel will be handing out the awards. Fiona Cannon of Lloyds banking Group will also be attending, it was her vision that led to Lloyds sponsoring these awards and her support is vital for the Financial Freedom newsletter.

Lisa Buckingham, chair of the FMWF, editor of the Financial Mail on Sunday and editor of Financial Freedom, when describing the event said “I have been truly impressed by the quality of the entries, the clear desire of our contestants to give something back to society and the sheer bravery of the women who have had the courage to allow their business ideas to be judged.”

In other news, the deadline for the Breaking the Mould Awards is fast approaching – 15^th November. These awards, run in partnership with the 30% Club, celebrate the achievements of companies who are creating a platform for talented females who will become the women leaders of tomorrow.

This Christmas event, is a ‘Black handbags’ do, so bring along a black handbag to donate to Dress for Success, a charity that helps disadvantage women enter the workplace, and in return you will get a raffle ticket to the prize draw on the night.

For more information, visit: www.fmwf.com

London Councils to Send Homeless Families Out of the City

As rents in London continue to rise and the Housing Allowance has been capped at £400 a month councils are preparing to move families out of capital the Guardian reports. Families could be rehoused as far away as Berkshire and Sussex as the shortage of affordable housing in the capital worsens.

London councils are acquiring cheaper properties in areas outside of London as a response to predictions of increasing levels of homelessness ahead of Government cuts that come into force in April of next year. Whilst councils are reluctant to force London families to move away, they are finding it impossible to provide housing in the city. Moving families away from their home borough causes severe disruption impacting on the education of children their wellbeing.

By law local authorities have a duty to house families at risk of homelessness within the Borough the application is made ‘as far as is practicable.’ However, rising rents combined with government cuts make it impractical and, in places, impossible to provide suitable housing.

The government must tackle rising rents in the capital so that affordable housing is available to all. Moving families out of the city does not address the underlying problems of social injustice that lead to homelessness.