The rollout of Benefit changes is coming to Tendring soon. We have seen the chaos and consequences of benefit arrears in other areas that have rolled out and wish to do all we can to alleviate the problems in Tendring

‘The beast from the East’ is currently in the UK, and even though this will pass, imagine if you or a loved one had to sleep outside for the night? Many have died already due to the freezing conditions, and whilst most wouldn’t like a complete stranger living in their house, large unused buildings could be a godsend to people in need. Regardless of weather conditions, all human beings should have the right to know they have somewhere indoors to rest their head. People would be able to socialise, share resources and know that they’re safe from the conditions which no human should have to endure.

In my Tower Block at one time 41 flats out of 86 had dubious people living in them. This was highlighted was the Gas Supply was turned off from the whole block, and Gas-Engenderers needed to enter every flat, in one day but after 2 weeks still could not get into 41! and we all had 2 weeks warning of this essential safety check, as the pipework had to be pressurised to remove any residue. WE Have Homelessness simply because of Social Housing Fraud!. People who will not integrate so are a danger with water leaks, infestation or just call at night to collect the latest batch of Credit Cards or mail in general using the address as a Fraud Factor or to water the Cannabis Plants after hot wiring the Electric meter. Sending a letter or making a phone call is not enough but all they do to protect bonuses connected to the percentage of rent collected!. Run a Crime Hub-but pay the rent OK, Be made redundant or be taken seriously ill and owe a weeks rent and the legal process to evict you will start.

Thanks to the Government's 'Right to Buy' Policy, local government are forced to offer Social Housing at heavily discounted prices - at approximately up to 70% of value - to elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents in Independent Living Accommodation; thus reducing the housing stock in Social Housing overall. Affordable Housing is only offered at 20% of value which most cannot afford. If residents cannot get social housing, either through an association or the council, they are forced into the more expensive - ON AVERAGE 4 TIMES AS MORE - private renting. For example: In the last six months, 130 Independent Living Accommodation Sites have been lost, never to replaced, amounting to 2% of the current total Social Housing within the Stroud Area alone; an issue that is being replicated across the United Kingdom.

Currently homeless people are huddled in sea front seating shelters which have broken glass in them. In the current wintry conditions this is not adequate . There are a number of beach huts on Weston sea front that are vacant and could house people much more adequately . We do not want more needless deaths to occur.

It would make land more affordable before the speculator moves in .

Rents are on the increase, that is a fact. Homelessness and debt are too, also a fact. People are finding it harder and harder to meet the demands of paying rent that is astronomical in proportion to what is being paid in salaries. A recent study shows 37% of a monthly income goes on rent - that's before any other expenses are even calculated. Personally in my situation, i know its more like 60% that goes on my rent and i know many others are in the same boat. As the rent goes up, people can't pay and end up in personal debt, landlords end up with debt and rent goes up further to prevent debt in the future for the next tenant. I urge the Minister and parliament to consider introducing a rent controls act to stop this vicious circle and protect both the most vulnerable and the providers of housing at the same time.

Siohbon Carey is a young lady with severe Epilepsy that causes her to be in Todd's paralysis a stroke like state after a seizure that can be exacerbated through stress. Siohbon at the moment is living in an upstairs flat that is totally unsuitable for her needs. Her home for months has been infested with Rats, Bluebottles and Maggots and these facts alone haven't compelled the housing to move her to somewhere suitable for her needs. Siohbon's case was highlighted in the Glasgow Evening Times: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15825678.Glasgow_tenant_forced_to_live_with_rats__flies_and_maggots/

Homelessness is an issue that can affect any one of us. It is getting worse and more needs to be done both nationally and locally. However, people living on the streets deserve to be treated with compassion, understanding and empathy and they most certainly DO NOT deserve to be demonised, vilified, persecuted or mistreated.

We do not accept the level of power that is given to the developers of our city. We demand that all new housing developments should have both insulated buildings AND renewable energy. This requirement should not be dropped because of 'urban design'. We do not accept unsustainable development that contributes to climate change; our communities need clean energy, transport links, and schools, doctors surgeries and amenities.

We the residents of Tower Hamlets are extremely concerned in the breakdown in waste collection for a number of weeks over the festive period. Waste built up to a level which became a health and safety issue. We demand that the council pursues an inquiry with its waste contractors Veolia to explore and make clear to residents what transpired and pursue contractual penalties to ensure value for money from Veolia Waste Management services for the lack of appropriate service. Maium Miah & Paul Hanes

WE NEED A NATIONAL HOUSING SERVICE TO DEAL WITH THE EXTRAORDINARY CRISIS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TODAY.. Chris Blythe OBE. the Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Building has recommended that "due to the ongoing failure of the private market that we need a national body for control of planning & development to provide low cost, high quality homes in the numbers now required." Affordable housing is a “precious national resource” “If we are educating people and looking after their health, does it not make sense that we should close the loop with good housing that promotes health and enables people to take advantage of our investment in their education?” . In his hard-hitting essay, entitled “Nationalise the housing market: A radical proposal for an extraordinary crisis”, Blythe traces the origins of the crisis over two decades. His proposal comes as the number of households in England in emergency accommodation hit 77,240 this year, an increase of 60% since March 2011. Official statistics show that the median price paid for residential property increased by 259% between 1997 and 2016, while median individual annual earnings increased by just 68% in the same time period. ALL THIS MUST END! PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION. WE MUST DO SOMETHING TO SOLVE OUR HOUSING CRISIS NOW!