10 Day Countdown

I swear it was Christmas last time I walked out of my front door. Phase 2 of my Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship is upon me like a freight train. Time is speeding up. Departure in 10 days. Smart clothes ironed, suitcase packed and weighed, routes, times confirmed and the handover of “day” work to my generous co-workers is nearly complete. (I could hug them but it’s not allowed anymore).

In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, I optimistically look forward to the Arizona desert heat, driving through the red rocks of Sedona, Tuscon, Phoenix and Flagstaff, meeting Community Land Trust leaders who hold and move forward the dream of equitable development.

If the US borders close, I have a pile of reports, lesson, project plans, a Community Toolkit and a book to finish writing, a year of ideas to turn into sketches, years of sketches to turn into paintings, a half knitted Latvian hat, new views to discover and  a garden gathering dust.  I don’t worry about things I have no control over.

Though it would be nice to leave my home behind for a while…2020 rocketed in on a wave of personal housing chaos; the roof leak in my bedroom celebrated it’s first birthday, the ceiling blew out and my social housing landlord cites lack of funds. I email my landlord to suggest they revisit their risk and long-term asset management strategy; maybe there’s a job opening…I don’t hear back…

Aren’t there regulations to stop Registered Provider landlords (like Housing Associations/Local Authorities) gathering rent and not paying repairs? Well yes…and no.

The Consumer Standards are there to ensure tenants have good quality accommodation, are safe in their homes. However, the Regulator of Social Housing uses the enforcement powers reactively, where it believes there has been or may be a serious “detriment” to tenants. They are more like guidelines…which no-one checks.

There was rumour of strengthening the regulation of the Consumer Standards after the Grenfell Tower tragedy. How awful that after nearly three years there is still no new Consumer Regulator with teeth. Heartbreaking. My chaos – just a roof leak. I’m thankful for other rooms to live in safely.

And I optimistically look forward to the Arizona desert heat…10 days and counting…