It appears to me that all the charities and other bodies such as yourselves are aiming too low in dealing with lack of low-cost homes.
I appreciate that the Government should be providing homes for anyone that needs it, but let’s be honest that is a long way off and probably never going happen.
So we need a different approach to provide social affordable homes:
This country is awash with millionaires, multi-millionaires and billionaires. From pop stars to footballers to entrepreneurs. I am certain that these people do their bit for charities but, let’s be honest, what they could do makes what the average person in the street contribute pale almost into insignificance. We can and should buy a Big Issue for £3, I am in no doubt people give more, but the rich could provide so much more.
So my thoughts are that via The Big Issue we persuade these people to give half a million pounds or, for the more wealthier ones, one million pounds to a housing fund. If we could get everyone from The Sunday Times Top 100, what a pot of money there would be!
This fund would be managed by The Big Issue across the country and would allow you to buy land, old buildings, office space and build or convert into affordable homes. Perhaps it would be possible for the people donating to own the freeholds and receive rent, if they so wished. Of course, ideally the rent could add to the pot and allow more homes to be supplied. I appreciate there would be lots of legal loops to go through. But you must be the people to do this and have the influence with those rich people.
