Vote Now In The Walthamstow Housing Awards 2016 |
Introduction to Awards Scheme
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The cost of housing in Walthamstow is one of the biggest challenges facing local residents. Many find themselves unable to afford to live in our community, whether due to a shortage of properties, rising rents or increasing house prices. Without action - either owning or renting an affordable home in our community will become a distant dream for too many – that’s why the Walthamstow Housing Campaign is helping the local community fight back.
In Waltham Forest house prices have doubled over the last eight years, as people have been priced out of other parts of London and so turned their attention to outer London boroughs. These problems in turn create shortages for social and affordable housing, as those within the private sector encouraged by letting and estate agents to speculate on rents and house prices. Concerns about the quality of housing also continue to grow with many local residents being charged extortionate rents for properties which require repairs to be habitable.
Residents individually can feel powerless to complain about these issues, for fear of being evicted or cut out of the market all together. By bringing residents, local campaigners and the Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy together, the Walthamstow housing Awards are shining a spotlight on the good and bad practice in the local housing market.
In 2015 the Awards were covered by BBC primetime documentary Rooms, Rogues and Renters and helped bring an end to estate agents double charging as well as helping local residents avoid being ripped off by hidden letting agent fees. So too, following the awards scheme, many local letting and estate agents participated in meetings about the problems facing local residents, showing their commitment to work together with the community to address concerns about their industry.
The 2016 award ceremony will take place on Saturday 20 February 2016 at 11.30am in Walthamstow. Please use the forms on the next page to give your nominations for these awards. Please note, this ballot will close at 12pm on Friday 19th February 2016.
In Waltham Forest house prices have doubled over the last eight years, as people have been priced out of other parts of London and so turned their attention to outer London boroughs. These problems in turn create shortages for social and affordable housing, as those within the private sector encouraged by letting and estate agents to speculate on rents and house prices. Concerns about the quality of housing also continue to grow with many local residents being charged extortionate rents for properties which require repairs to be habitable.
Residents individually can feel powerless to complain about these issues, for fear of being evicted or cut out of the market all together. By bringing residents, local campaigners and the Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy together, the Walthamstow housing Awards are shining a spotlight on the good and bad practice in the local housing market.
In 2015 the Awards were covered by BBC primetime documentary Rooms, Rogues and Renters and helped bring an end to estate agents double charging as well as helping local residents avoid being ripped off by hidden letting agent fees. So too, following the awards scheme, many local letting and estate agents participated in meetings about the problems facing local residents, showing their commitment to work together with the community to address concerns about their industry.
The 2016 award ceremony will take place on Saturday 20 February 2016 at 11.30am in Walthamstow. Please use the forms on the next page to give your nominations for these awards. Please note, this ballot will close at 12pm on Friday 19th February 2016.