The Street
Posted: October 23rd, 2022, 10:38 pm
I watched this documentary about the gentrification of Hoxton on Amazon Prime last night, and it was excellent - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detai ... share_cu_r
Although it was set in Hoxton it's a story that could just as easily have been filmed in any of the other areas of London that used to be working class areas but which have now been gentrified.
What was particularly shocking was the way that what had once been council housing had been sold off (one of the worst policy decisions ever IMO) and that the modern day Rachmans who had bought the properties were now effectively renting them back to the Council at extortionate rents.
One guy was living in a single room 12' x 9' `flat', which was one of three that had been created out of a single council flat, and he (or more accurately the Council) was paying £235 pw for it. As he said, he couldn't afford to work as he'd lose his housing benefit, and could never earn enough to cover the rent.
The housing situation in the UK is an utter disgrace - but ignore my rants and watch the film, you won't regret it.
Although it was set in Hoxton it's a story that could just as easily have been filmed in any of the other areas of London that used to be working class areas but which have now been gentrified.
What was particularly shocking was the way that what had once been council housing had been sold off (one of the worst policy decisions ever IMO) and that the modern day Rachmans who had bought the properties were now effectively renting them back to the Council at extortionate rents.
One guy was living in a single room 12' x 9' `flat', which was one of three that had been created out of a single council flat, and he (or more accurately the Council) was paying £235 pw for it. As he said, he couldn't afford to work as he'd lose his housing benefit, and could never earn enough to cover the rent.
The housing situation in the UK is an utter disgrace - but ignore my rants and watch the film, you won't regret it.