Our Country in Crisis: Kwajo Tweneboa’s stark look into the UK Housing Crisis

Our country in crisis by kwajo tweneboa book next to a picture of the author
Kwajo Tweneboa's new book tackles the housing crisis and how we can solve it.

Our Country in Crisis: Britain’s Housing Emergency and How We Rebuild by Kwajo Tweneboa: book review

As a homeless charity, we spend a lot of time thinking about housing.

In theory this should be a simple process. We talk to someone in need of a place to stay, contact the appropriate accommodation provider and confirm a place is available.

But in our current housing emergency this is rarely the case.

As Kwajo Tweneboa discusses in his new book, the UK housing crisis has reached a breaking point. As Kwajo Tweneboa explains this can be put down to a interconnected series of factors.

What’s causing the housing crisis according to Kwajo Tweneboa

The far reaching effects of the housing crisis have been caused by many factors over decades.

These factors include:

  • The selling-off of social housing on a mass scale
  • Lack of funding from national and local governments
  • Mismanagement of the housing market, especially social homes
  • Stigma around social housing
  • The cost of living crisis


    • kitchen in disrepair
    Access to safe, affordable and decent homes is decreasing rapidly in the UK

    We largely agree with Tweneboa’s assessment of the housing crisis and its causes.

    He also does a great job of highlighting the interconnectedness of these factors and how they worsen the issues tenants are facing across the UK.

    For example, we know that a lack of social housing is forcing more people to look for privately rented accommodation. This increased demand has led to higher rent prices which means the average cost of living is higher.

    This combined with a lack of funding, means people are struggling more than ever before to afford a home.

    On a larger scale, this means people are less likely to have disposable income to spare so spending as a whole goes down and the economy suffers.

    The author also provides emotionally-charged yet empowering case studies: real stories of people who are facing the worst effects of the housing crisis.

    This reminds us that housing and homelessness is about more than numbers but about people including our neighbours, family and friends.

    Clearly, as the housing campaigner explains in his book, the housing emergency is worsening at a rapid pace and without intervention to stop this cycle of self-destruction, more people will suffer.

    How we fix the housing crisis according to Kwajo Tweneboa

    Tweneboa puts forward solutions to the housing crisis that the charity sector has been campaigning for for years. Our experience and expertise tell us that these will likely be successful, especially when put in place collectively.

    At a basis level, Tweneboa suggests more funding is key. At the moment local governments and charities simply don’t have enough resources to put enough changes in place. This much needed support could help make key strides take shape.

    This could include building more social housing as we put forward in our policy asks to the government.

    Currently, over 1 million people are on the waitlist for a social home.

    At the same time, in 2022, 11,400 social homes were built (representing a 58% decrease since 2000) while over 22,000 social homes were sold off according to Shelter.

    More social homes would be a great step forward to making sure everyone can have a safe place to live.

    But housing alone can’t be the answer as Kwajo Tweneboa points point in ‘Our Country in Crisis’. A fixed NHS, better education system and more are all needed to put tenants in a safer position.

    We believe, like Tweneboa that this system-level change is the only way to truly fix the housing crisis and end homelessness for good. Short-term ‘quick-fixes’ won’t be sustainable for much longer.

    Conclusion

    ‘Our Country in Crisis: Britain’s Housing Emergency and How We Rebuild’ by Kwajo Tweneboa is a timely, well thought-out and detailed explanation of why we’re facing a housing crisis and how we can fix it.

    As he suggests, it won’t be easy. The political will must be in place and large-scale changes will be needed if we want to truly end this emergency.

    But, with housing campaigners like Kwajo Tweneboa working to end the housing crisis, we have reason to hope for a better future.

    Thank you to Kwajo Tweneboa and Orion books for sharing his book with us.
    Last updated: 30/07/2024