She said this in response to a 50 per cent increase in court bailiff evictions over the past four years. Although mortgage repossessions have dropped over the same period, changes to housing benefit saw a record 43,000 tenants in England and Wales turfed out of their lodgings last year, despite £9.3bn being paid to private landlords.
Terribly sad for those involved but please read the first paragraph again and try to guess how many items in Ms Payne's statement made my blood boil. 'Everyone' - who and where are they. I'm sure slum dwellers in Mumbai, those clinging to hillside favelas in Rio de Janeiro, or stuck in sprawling Mexico City would be delighted to hear this. The trouble is, it's just not true - and not going to happen in my lifetime.
Japan land prices
What is 'decent'? For so many it is a safe, preferably dry spot, maybe under a viaduct, in an abandoned construction site, or a refugee camp. Today we are seeing the development of micro urban dwellings, maybe of no more than 200 to 300 sq ft, the use of shipping containers as single occupancy units, and lots of pre-fab construction. And no, this is not for third-world countries but for New Yorkers, Londoners and in San Francisco; these people live like this through choice.
'Affordable' in Scandinavia means rock-bottom interest rates (where occasionally the bank pays you to borrow money) and record personal indebtedness. Copenhagen property prices rose 25 per cent last year and adults are borrowing three times their disposable income.
UK Nationwide House Price Index
Sicily this year offered free houses in an inland ruined village to those who would rebuild within a certain time. Yes, you say, but you know their problems with the Mafia. Almost 10 years ago I saw first hand a Sardinian village - not on the Costa Smeralda mind you - fighting depopulation. The authorities invited refugees in receipt of benefits to move in. The community would help refurbish homes so that their money would keep council taxes coming in, the shop and café going, though not the church (as they were from North Africa).
Italy residential property prices
In Japan any home over 30 years old is unsellable (except the odd riohan), dwellings in small rural communities likewise - and not just around Fukushima. Smaller second-tier towns hard hit too (as they are in Italy), and in Sao Paulo a house is almost impossible to shift - security fears pushing those who can into apartment blocks.
US House Price Index
I do agree that we need 'different types' of homes. Architects and planners have over the centuries come up with all sorts of wheezes, and are usually ridiculed for their attempts later, but ingenuity plus a bit of money should do the trick. I agree that green spaces, not necessarily belts, are appreciated and enjoyed by all urban populations; this is one of the big attractions of London. High-density housing is a must to maximise outdoor space. Density also means cheaper delivery of utilities, transport, and leisure amenities. We are social animals and with a bit of imagination, courtesy, and good will, we can and will adapt to rabbit-hutch proportions. Location, safety and desirability are paramount - everywhere.
