THERE'S A WHOLE NEW CATEGORY OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE

by Angela McLachlan, Director of Letfirst

I am weary of this type of blog [www.rentergirl.blogspot.co.uk]. It achieves so little, although granted, it does continue to pedal myths and stereotype about a whole range of folk. And to be fair, this particular opinion piece is very inclusive. It aims to neatly categorise and classify quite a few - private landlords, homeless people, homeless departments, politicians, Bed and Breakfast Accommodation, benefit claimants, - ‘tis good to see such an egalitarian approach to the application of anachronistic stereotyping.

Isn’t it all just a little gutter press? Lying Lord Freud and Benefit Claimants who are not ‘not bright’ It’s more than a little offensive (particularly if you have just lost your job and are now claiming benefit) but more importantly and rather sadly it doesn’t really get to the heart of the matter now does it? I generally find Renter Girl quite entertaining, but I’m not a fan of a spray bullet approach which does nothing but insult and keeps the debate circling the same ring road.

In the meantime, Jimmy and Mary – people who need a home - are packing up the family house because it’s just them who live in the house now. They won’t be able to afford the rent on the 3 bedroom house that they moved into in 1971 when their kids were little. They are not quite sure where to go for help as their Council "doesn’t do much with the private rented sector" but there is an agent on the High Street who does 6 month lets, although Jimmy is reluctant to borrow money from his daughter to pay £200 to the letting agent for their references to be checked. Unfortunately, no one has told them that, thanks to Shelter Scotland, such charges are actually illegal (http://www.reclaimyourfees.com) although as far as Jimmy and Mary are concerned, Shelter only help people who sleep rough.

There is of course a lot to be angry, upset, anxious and fearful about, but repeating arguments and perpetuating stereotypes won’t change anything for the thousands of people who will be affected by cuts to their income or those who will have to move house or face homelessness. However, I suspect that such people won’t feel a warm glow either when they hear that the Chief Executive of their Housing Association is fighting their corner by discussing yet again, at another Conference  (dinner and wine included in the ticket price) why the private sector shouldn’t be providing houses for vulnerable people.

As a society, we are facing unprecedented cuts and changes and, as ever, the most vulnerable in society will be affected. Add to this the fact that a whole new category of vulnerable are in the process of being created as long held certainties are being eroded. Over the last few years, I have heard a lot of outrage, witnessed a lot of hand-wringing and been party to earnest discussions about which sector should be delivering services to "vulnerable people". These conversations left me , at best, crestfallen but in general, asleep. I nod off because there seems to be a general lack of desire in some circles to do anything to prevent vulnerability. That seems to me a more noble exercise than competing for sector superiority or sensationalising anecdote and stereotype.

So whilst I find Renter Girl’s article and others like them dull and irritating, I also find them completely irresponsible. It is wrong to fuel anxieties when calmness and pragmatism is what is desperately needed and it is incumbent on all sectors (public, private and voluntary) to work hard to ensure that "vulnerable" is a temporary state.  Sadly, for as long as people create unnecessary fear and promote nonsense those who are at risk of becoming vulnerable are at greater risk of becoming terminally vulnerable due to the absence of solution based initiatives.

So, what continues to keep me awake is the knowledge that later on today I will be speaking with people who are actually helping Jimmy and Mary find a new home. Organisations who are rolling up their sleeves and working with each other, rather than against each other. In doing so, they are helping to dispel fear, manage problems, find solutions and challenge each other and, most importantly themselves, through a shared objective - to prevent vulnerability.

The outcome? Jimmy and Mary secured a private let. They wanted a long lease as they didn’t want to move again in the next few years. They also wanted a spare bedroom for their grandson. The staff working with Jimmy and Mary work closely with private landlords keen to let out their properties for 5- 10 years and in return for this security, they are prepared to accept a lower rent. In practical terms, this means that the bedroom tax won’t apply for Jimmy and Mary, so they can have their grandson to stay.

In the meantime, others continue to argue or wax unlyrical about ruthless private landlords, thick benefit claimants, dodgy politicians…yawn, yawn…as I fall into a deep, albeit disturbed slumber. Before I nod off, I must mention – Jimmy and Mary both receive benefit and they are both very bright.