The COVID-19 pandemic had devastating health, economic and social consequences. In New York, the pandemic and ensuing economic shutdown produced almost 2 million job losses in 2020. Yet for many, economic hardships existed long before this time.
Shamez Alibhai is head of community housing and portfolio manager at Man GPM
In recent decades, Britain’s housing system has failed to deliver the kind of communities that we need to foster a cohesive, inclusive and meritocratic society. Wherever you sit on the political spectrum, the idea that people ought to be able to flourish no matter where they happen to have been brought up should be a given; the fact that this is still not the case in Britain is a reflection of policies pursued by numerous governments and planners over the course of decades.
We currently have an inflated housing market where median purchase prices have risen to levels far exceeding median incomes twinned with a social-housing programme whose lengthy waiting lists mean only those most acutely in need have a chance of being allocated habitation. As a consequence, key workers, essential workers and so many more are being forced to live in substandard or inappropriate accommodation, left behind by the market