Herald - Issue 397

v THE HERALD - YOUR COMMUNITY MAGAZINE v 29th October 2020 • The HERALD • Page 59 v ON THE HOME FRONT v Sales & Lettings 023 8084 4131 • 7 & 9The Marsh, Hythe A major report by Shelter has exposed the ugly truth of the housing crisis, as regional analysis of England-wide polling data shows just over half (55%) of private renters in the South East say their home has made them feel safe during the pandemic. Calling on the Chancellor to act now to save the nation’s homes, the charity’s ‘Building Our Way Out’ report outlines how a disastrous lack of social homes across the country has plunged England into a housing emergency, which is only intensifying as COVID-19 puts unprecedented pressure on those in poor housing. According to a poll of English adults carried out by YouGov for the report, a third of private renters in the South East - equivalent to 402,000 people - said their housing situation made lockdown harder to cope with. With grim predictions on what lies ahead, Shelter is warning the government’s existing provision for delivering new social homes is woefully inadequate. ere is currently only enough funding set aside to provide one social home for every 96 households on the waiting list. Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, said: “Our homes are our first line of defence in this pandemic. But thousands in the South East have spent months trapped in private rentals they do not trust to keep them safe. And right now, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. “After decades of decline, a dire lack of social homes means too many people, pay too much for cramped and poor- quality housing. Or worse yet they find themselves with nowhere to live. With the stakes so high, the case for building decent social homes is clear.” Shelter’s report calls for a targeted rescue package of £12.2 billion over the next two years to fund a total of 50,000 new social homes, out of a total of 145,000 new a ordable homes. ese 50,000 new social homes equate to almost four times the number of social homes currently delivered each year. Polly Neate continued : “Before a thundercloud of homelessness breaks over us, the Chancellor needs to be as swift and bold on housing as we’ve seen him be on jobs. By turbocharging investment in social housing today, we can build ourselves out of this pandemic and lay the foundations of a better future.” Rescue Package for Housing Crisis Urgently Needed Leading military charity Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) , has made the decision to postpone their fundraising expedition to Oman until the new year, as they adhere to Government COVID-19 guidelines both in the UK and Oman. Previously due to begin on the 20th November and ending on the 11th December, e Grenadier Walk of Oman will take ve ex-military personnel and one member still currently serving to the hostile environment of the Omani desert. e trek is set to see the team tackle one of their toughest challenges yet, as they pull a 100kg cart across the Omani desert. Serving members of the Omani Armed Forces will also be part of the team. In light of the recent COVID-19 updates, with a second spike and further restrictions expected, the safety of the team embarking on the trek is of paramount importance. Therefore, the Grenadier Walk of Oman expedition will now run from the 18th February – 9th March 2021. Charities such as WWTW are vital to continue their support to ex-servicemen and women, who are su ering or have su ered from physical and psychological injuries. With those embarking on the challenge all having su ered from such injuries, e Grenadier Walk of Oman highlights the importance of why we must support those who have served, as they transition back into civilian life. Ed Parker, CEO of WWTW said: “Our team have been training extremely hard over the last fewmonths and are mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for this huge adventure. However, in light of the current global situation and with the rise in COVID-19 cases, we have decided to put the expedition on hold until the new year. The Grenadier Walk Of Oman will still go ahead in 2021, but for now we must keep in-line with the Governments guidelines and ensure we only move forward once it is safe to do so. The team will continue to keep up their training in a safe and secure environment. I want to thank all of our partners, in the UK and Oman, for their flexibility and understanding in this delay.” Now that the expedition has been delayed, the team will not be taking their boots o in a hurry. ey will continue to get their steps in over the next few months by focusing on Walking With e Wounded’s Walking Home For Christmas campaign , which will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on e Grenadier Walk of Oman and to be kept up to date on the latest news and dates, please visit: www.walkofoman.co.uk Walking With The Wounded Postpones the Grenadier Walk of Oman Cancer Support Centre Up-Date by Founder, June Richens Abiding by the COVID-19 rules we are sadly unable to open our Centre. However, our team continue to be active! e Man Group meet monthly at Fountain Court Hotel. Please note the change of dates for this year. e next meetings are on Thursday 19th November and Tuesday 15th December. For further information please contact the Centre on 023 8178 0409 and ask to speak to either Peter or George. e Friendship Club, who presently are unable to have their meetings at the Parish Hall are managing their own groups of up to 6 people to meet for lunch, co ee etc. is social contact is so important for so many people. Our team remain committed to providing remote support so even though the centre is closed, you can still access support by telephoning 023 8178 0409 where your call will be dealt with sensitivity and in complete con dence. Please join us in the Grove Garden on Saturday 31st October from 10 am to celebrate our 10th birthday in the best way we can currently manage by writing a message on a ribbon and tying it on our Memory Tree. Criminals are stooping to the next level as the Coronavirus pandemic continues. National Trading Standards have listed seven likely scams to watch out for: 1. Price gouging - when traders over- in ate products that are likely to be in high demand, such as COVID-19 testing kits. 2. Online fraud - where websites, apps and social media are used to sell counterfeit products as more shoppers are buying online. 3. Copycat websites - on which criminals pose as people delivering legitimate government initiatives. 4. Claims of miracle cures - including fake Coronavirus treatments. 5. Misrepresented home viewings - as virtual property viewings are now more common, there are risks of buyers or renters not getting the true picture of a home. 6. Fake refund websites - o ering “assistance” in claiming refunds which, at the least, is advice that charities o er for free. 7. Exploiting the vulnerable – not a new tactic, but will become more prominent. COVID-19 Scams – Stay Alert!