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Read the latest news & blogs on how we are working to create a London free from poverty
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You bear the situation no matter where it is or what you have to do. I am trapped here.
For many people, reliance on minimal benefits or very low wages makes it impossible to save up a deposit, and even for those who manage to save, few landlords accept tenants on benefits. In other words, you are trapped where you are - no matter the state of the property.
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In 2021 Tenants are Still at the Mercy of their Landlord
As part of our work profiling the voices of tenants in the Private Rented Sector (PRS), Katarina tells a story of mistreatment, disrespect, and lack of compassion from landlords who know the power they have over her
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Renters Need Change Now
Housing law allows landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason - meaning people like Okwuchi often face prejudice or are punished for asking for repairs. It's this insecurity faced by tenants that the Government promised to address with a new Renters Reform Bill, and we've joined the Renters Reform Coalition to hold them to that.
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Homeless families deserve better than council gatekeeping
I’ve been working in the advice sector from the days of the House of Lords case of Street v Mountford - too many years, some may say! And I thought I knew most of the tricks London Boroughs use to deny homeless people their legal rights. But its only when I came to Z2K and started dealing with Westminster City Council’s Housing Options Service on a regular basis that I realised I didn’t know the half of it.
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The Eviction Ban has Ended, Leaving Renters Without a Safety Net
Last Monday the ‘eviction ban’ was lifted, meaning courts began hearing possession cases, bailiff’s evictions begin; and tenants are again at risk of losing their homes. Introduced instead is a six month notice period for evictions (except for those with substantial rent arrears) and some requirements that landlords provide courts with information about the impact of the pandemic on the tenant. The longer notice period buys renters some time, but it doesn’t solve the problem.
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Lockdown Life – bringing people together to tell stories for change
Over the course of Lockdown, Z2K has been bringing together people with experience of Universal Credit and the Private Rented Sector (PRS) using online groups to counter some of the isolation of Lockdown and give voice to their views on what Life After Lockdown should look like.
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Discriminatory Government excuses are leaving 2.5 million people without vital support
Last week Director General of Universal Credit (UC), Neil Couling, shone a painfully glaring light on the Government’s discriminatory attitude towards those struggling most in our society. Read Ella's blog on why excuses the Government are repeating for why they are leaving millions behind just don't hold up.
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When Isolating at Home is as Bad for Your Health as Going Out
Self-isolation for a period of time – and we don’t know how long – is necessary to get Covid-19 under control. For many of us, it’s also boring, uncomfortable, and a reminder of all the reasons we love (and are irritated by!) our families. But for some of the people Z2K works with, living on Social Security benefits and renting from private landlords, self-isolation means something different.
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Z2K Covid-19 – Emergency Social Security & Housing Actions
The arrival of Coronavirus in the UK has become an unprecedented crisis. Huge numbers of people are expected to become ill, and many more unable to work as they self-isolate to protect themselves and others.
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Press release: In memory of our founder, Rev Paul Nicolson
Z2K is deeply saddened to hear of the death of our founder, Rev Paul Nicolson. Paul was an absolutely tireless campaigner against the scourge of poverty in the UK, and especially against the recent cuts to Social Security benefits that have caused so much of it.
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Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State – or at least that bit DWP wants you to see
Why the total absence of disabled and ill people from BBC’s 3-part documentary Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State accurately reflects Government’s attitude towards people living in the most vulnerable situations
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The grim reality of homelessness, sofa-surfing and the sharp end of renting in London
At Z2K we’ve begun a new project looking to amplify the voices of some of our clients. Rose and John co-write this piece detailing John's experiences of homelessness, sofa-surfing, and sharp end of renting in London.
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