Homeless Bound Big Conversation
In May 2023 Outside Influence invited 20 people to facilitate a creative think tank to discuss ‘What makes cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable considering people in York affected by housing insecurity?’
The think tank started with the 1st year Drama Students at York St John to stimulate the conversation through performing a number of skits based on the Homeless Bound book.
A lo-fi zine was created using found data, insights and distributed to spark talking points to aid a bigger conversation about Making York an inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable city.
The following questions were explored
Who does our city serve?
How does York utilise its purchasing power and networks, and how it affects the local community and economy?
Who are the decision makers that govern the city of York?
Who has ownership of York’s sources of wealth and how does that improve or impact the community as a whole?
How can we imagine a future where these stakeholders could become catalysts for change?
The participants feedback was captured and weaved together into this joint narrative
Together, we have the power to make a positive impact on our city of York. One important step is to practise horizontal governance, which means involving all members of the community in decision-making processes. By doing so, we can ensure that everyone’s voices are heard and that our actions benefit the entire community.
A key aspect of creating a sustainable and resilient city is to play the system for the benefit of the community. This includes addressing issues related to land and property ownership. One approach to consider is the “Preston Model” implemented by Preston City Council, which focuses on regenerative and local procurement policies. This model can serve as an example for us to explore and adapt to our own city.
To promote affordable and stable housing, we should challenge some of the distractive private and profitable rental models, such as ‘Rent to Rent’, and instead encourage private landlords to hand over the management of their properties to local community owned housing associations and accept reasonable rents. This new “rent to rent” model would prioritise the well-being of people over profit.
Education is a crucial component in creating a sustainable and resilient city. We can establish “Citizens Schools” where children learn about the value of democracy and their rights as members of the community. It is also essential to ensure that residents and citizens are aware of their rights and have access to information. By doing so, we can empower them and bring them out of the dark.
Challenging national policies that impact local government and affordable housing is another avenue to explore. We should develop a York-specific policy that aligns with the needs and aspirations of our community. In addition, York can take the lead in exploring community ownership, allowing the community to have a stake in the city’s development and decision-making processes.
To deepen community engagement, it is important for communities to have a better understanding of and influence over policy. The City of York Council (CYC) should involve residents in co-design processes, going beyond mere consultation, to ensure that the community’s perspectives are taken into account.
A Change of Zine
Please Note
All facts and figures shown in the zone were sourced at the time for the web to be used only for illustrative purposes at the event and have not as yet been fully substantiated. Please do not reproduce without consultation.
There are 211,012 York Residents living in the city’s entire housing stock of 90,645 homes
A successful transition. Tom is now living in his own flat and supports his community.
