Can I also recommend you read the latest edition of The Big Issue and you will see an article called "There's life in these old buildings". Some local authorities are opening up empty buildings, in Manchester an old children's home and former library are to be used as overnight shelters for rough sleepers this Christmas. Stoke on Trent are also opening up boarded over buildings. However, as per there are the morons who don't wish to play - giving various pathetic excuses such as "it's just too difficult" or that rough sleepers "have issues". One lovely lady who founded property developers East Eight is so incensed she has told several councils in London her firm would be willing to refurbish empty buildings and repair them if the council agrees to temporary residential zoning. Rent would be charged at a significantly discounted level to applicants in serious housing need with proven links to the area. Needless to say the empty property teams (Hackney and Islington councils) just won't respond! There are vacant buildings left to fall into disrepair while planning arguments drag on for years. This company wants to put something back into the community but are getting nowhere. What is wrong with these people we elect - do they just take their money and forget their duty and common humanity?
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