HOUSING VILLAGECreative Campaign Project

develop. network. engage.

collaborate.

visit: housingvillage.comcontact: a.y.walsh@mdx.ac.uk

Housing Village:

Creative Campaign Project

Project Handbook

This project is inviting you to become engaged with the Housing Campaign in the run up to the Mayoral Elections. You will create a physical idea that is a theoretical approach to housing; to represent what you think of a ‘home’ being and what your expectations of a home are to highlight the difference between the expectation and the reality. The outcome could be anything you want it to be, as long as it can be shown in the exhibition. There will be workshops over six weeks (excluding Easter vacation) to stimulate these thoughts and ideas. Ultimately, this will be a physical reflection of your team’s collective thoughts and experiences with the Housing Crisis.

The project aim is for you to create and present a positive outcome to pitch your idea of what housing should be like in London. Also for your realisation of how much housing plays a vital role in our society. For how important it is to be present at the Mayoral Assembly to represent your student voice on the Housing Crisis; and the importance of voting in the Mayoral Elections which will decipher the future of the Housing Crisis. Partaking in this project is your opportunity to express your opinion creatively and verbally. You will be part of the union of students that are working to make changes to the current Housing Crisis for all students and residents that are suffering from the number of issues with housing. The ‘Housing Village’ is the representation of the student’s voice and opinions on housing.

The project allows expression of each participant’s individuality whilst building relationships with communities. The project that takes away the pressure of assessments and grading without substituting the creative enjoyment. Furthermore, you will gain creative, personal and professional development that can be applied to University teaching modules to advance your research, development and execution. Throughout this project, you will be able to show your ability to engage with current social issues and connecting that to your research and design work. This project will allow you to build on your portfolio (at no cost to yourself) as the project will be visually documented and recorded throughout;. There is also the opportunity to showcase your final product, and thereby your talent, at an exhibition of the product outcomes to students, general public, media, and University networks at the exhibition. This project has gained appraisal from community organisations, activists and council members. All of the winning team will receive an internship with House of Hemingway Design.

- Communication Contacts.- Project Briefing.- Campaign Aims and Objectives.- Campaign Outcomes- Student Housing Situation- Citizens UK London Partner- Project Outcomes.- Project Materials.- Personal and Professional Development. - Portfolio building. - Reflective Practices. - Project Time Management and Planning.- Project Incentive- Internal/External Exhibition Summary- Connecting Communities and Media

This handbook is intended to:- Give details of the project - Assist in the learning and development throughout the project- Provide an agenda for the period of the project

CONTENTS

COMMUNICATIONSProject Manager

Anya Walsha.y.walsh@mdx.ac.uk

Student Voice studentvoice@mdx.ac.uk

Hannah Robertsh.roberts@mdx.ac.uk

Housing Campaign Sabbatical OfficerSayed Alkadiri

s.alkadiri@mdx.ac.uk

MDXSU Housing Campaign PartnerCitizens UK

www.citizensuk.org

PROJECT BRIEF

Start Date: 22.02.16 w/cReview Date: 11.04.16 w/cLaunch Date: 18.04.16 w/c

Within your team, produce a product based on the housing crisis for Middlesex University Student Union’s Housing campaign. In this Project Handbook, you have been given all of the key information on the Housing Crisis situation and the methods Middlesex University Student Union and Citizens UK are undertaking for the housing campaign throughout the year until the Mayoral Elections on 5th May 2016. Use this information, and other research that you may wish to gather additionally, to gain a better understanding of the crisis to engage further with the project. Your opinions and ideas about the crisis and campaign should be creatively communicated through the final product, but there will also be an opportunity to express your opinion and have your ‘voice’ heard at the Housing Village Exhibition.

For this project, answer the following question(s) by developing an idea for a physical product utilising yours and your collaborative project team’s skills and use your team’s personal experiences and opinions: WHAT DO YOU THINK A HOME SHOULD BE?Sub questions for the direction of how you want to interpret the question:What do you expect or want to see from the future of housing?What does ‘home’ mean to you?

You are to produce a design, performance or product that reflects your (team’s collective) personal experiences, thoughts and ideas on the Housing Crisis. Think of what ‘home’ means to you and why that is, what you expect of your ‘home’ space, or what you would change about the London housing crisis. Then develop these opinions into a physical expression of that ‘home’. The outcome could be a representation of your own physical home/housing situation or a part of the housing crisis that you feel needs to be changed and developed the most. Be as experimental and explorative as possible, thinking of abstract and innovative methods that you can represent your thoughts and experiences.

Within this project, you are required to produce an outcome that is reflective, expressive and well thought out. Draw on your experiences and insights as a team to explore how the housing campaign can be innovatively communicated through your creative techniques and methods. You are encouraged to think ‘outside of the box’ for how your experiences and thoughts can be demonstrated, whilst engaging as much as possible with the housing campaign and reflecting the issues of the housing crisis. Social and political influence can be incorporated for experimentation and exploration. You are advised to bring in all types of resources relating to the campaign and the project that you have seen or read each week to fuel your thoughts and ideas personally, professionally and creatively.

The first stage of the project allows the exploration of reflecting on personal experiences and opinions; production, outreach, and processes through research; contextual development; and experimental investigation. During the second stage you will refine creative techniques, methods and processes to develop a clear working practice within your team. During the final stage you will produce a fully resolved outcome which will be a presented at the exhibition on 18th April.

Your creative learning progress will be supported by the Project Manager but the teaching and learning strategy is based around self-directed development within your teams and centres on your ability to problem-solve and reflect on the creative process. There are no constraints on size, construction/

production or design so explore the possibilities and be as imaginative and innovative as you can. The design could be anything that applies to your skills, so the final outcome could be anything you want it to be, as long as it is shown in the exhibition at the end of the project. There are however restrictions of materials used as every team will receive the same volume and selection of materials for fair comparison. The team that has the most points (based on campaign engagement, construction/production and innovative design) is awarded as the winner.

Every outcome will be entirely different to the next, in order to create a collection of student housing representation - ‘A Housing Village’ - that represent a collection of student’s housing experiences or views. The name of the Project is a ‘Housing Village’ because you are to produce a theoretical ‘home’/housing situation which expresses your situation in relation to the Housing Crisis to the general public, and with all the outcomes combined this creates a strong representation of various issues and positive solutions with housing that need to be addressed by the proposing Mayor(s) of London at Mayoral Assembly. This project will develop your realisation of how much housing plays a vital role in our lives, and how important it is to represent the student’s voice for the Housing Crisis and the importance of voting in the Mayoral Elections that will decipher the future of the Housing Crisis.

Campaign Engagement (20 points)You are expected to experiment and explore, to engage in visual and critical analysis of concepts and contexts in relation to the Housing Crisis. Reflection and engagement will receive the most recognition. You may be asked to explain your thought process for your decisions.

Construction/production (10 points)Although there are no restrictions on anything besides materials, the product will be judged on it’s stability and quality where applicable.

Innovative Design (10 points)Think of how this product could be designed or performed based on your experiences and opinions with your housing situation(s) - then thinking of how this can be produced into a physically reflection. The outcome should influence the viewer as if it was they could experience the situation themselves.

Time Committed60 minutes per week

RequirementsAttendance (minimum of 66%)Verbal or written reflection (minimum of 500 words)Final product to be launched at the Internal Exhibition

PROJECT BRIEF

PROJECT OUTCOMESThis project is inviting you to become engaged with Middlesex University Student Union’s Housing Campaign in partnership with Citizen UK, who together are working to overcome the current Housing Crisis by having a large presence at the Mayoral Assembly and Mayoral Elections in 2016. This is your opportunity to express your opinion and voice on your personal or societal experiences with housing and how you have been directly or indirectly affected by the Housing Crisis.

Partaking in this project is your opportunity to express your opinion creatively and verbally. The Housing Village creatively represents student’s voice on what housing should and needs to be. You will be part of the union of students that are working to make changes to the current Housing Crisis that all students and resident are suffering from with the number of issues in housing. The project aim is for your realisation of how much housing plays a vital role in our society, and how this project, alongside action with communities and organisations, can impact on the Housing Crisis for positive change.

This project will allow you to build on your portfolio that will showcase your strongest work and experiences, as the project will be visually documented and recorded alongside the exhibition being continually filmed and photographed for additional portfolio and online media presence. There will also be a range of coverage from university platforms. Furthermore, you will gain CV experience through gaining valuable transferable skills whilst communicating and working within a team, developing learning and creative initiative, professionally and creatively self-directing your methods and processes. Participating in a voluntary project, particularly one that is contributing to a national campaign, is incredibly valuable to post-graduate employers. Favoured employers that receive numerous applications often dismiss applications that are absent of voluntary or extra-curricular experience.

Karen Brady, managing director of Birmingham City football club, says: “Anybody who volunteers is taking a decisive step in the right direction and taking their career ambitions into their own hands. Not only does volunteering give you valuable experience, but it makes you eminently more employable. And who knows, you might even have some fun too! I would seriously consider a candidate for interview if they had committed to volunteering.” - The Guardian

Moreover, the project stimulates and develops ideas and thought processes to help you further progress in University teaching modules to advance your research, development and execution. This will reflect your awareness and understanding in the creative industry and University practices. The project may also result in an emergence or expansion on personal identity and creative or professional discipline.

This project provides the opportunity to showcase your final product, and thereby your talent, at an exhibition of the product outcomes to students, general public, media, and University networks. Above all, this project is designed to be an enjoyable creative and team-working project that allows expression of each participant’s individuality to be expressed creatively and verbally. It provides the enjoyment relevant to your course without the pressure of assessments and grading.

PROJECT TIMELINE

PRE-PROJECT MEETING arranged with all interested individuals to discuss the Project Outline, Brief and Outcomes. All participants will be given the Project Initiative and Project Handbook. Information provided on the Campaign to discuss initial thoughts and ideas for the Project. Project Manager will answer all queries. Those interested sign up for the project and a convenient time and date each week is arranged. Collect a body of research to bring to WEEK ONE of any resources that individuals have seen or read

WEEK ONEw/b 22/02/16

DISCUSS individual experiences, opinions and thoughts on the Housing Crisis. Explore contextual and research development and experimental investigation that has been collected.Split into teams to identify collective ideas and thoughts from the discussion and begin to identify potential ideas, and potential materials to be selected

WEEK TWOw/b 29/02/16

DESIGN potential outcomes on paper, identify materials to be used, developing final design ideas. Identify materials to be used to submit a materials request. Explore creative methods, processes and techniques to be used

WEEK THREEw/b 07/03/16

DEVELOP finalised product idea and begin to construct using provided materials. Refine creative methods, processes and techniques. Consider concepts, contexts and outreach

WEEK FOURw/b 14/03/16

CONTINUATION or begin designing/constructing/producing

WEEK FIVEw/b 21/03/16

CONTINUATION

WEEK SIXw/b 11/04/16 (After Easter Vacation)

FINALISE construction/production to produce a fully resolved outcome to be unveiled at the Exhibition

Exhibitionw/b 18/04/16

UNVEIL final product to be judged by the panel

REFLECTIVE PRACTICESChallenge your creative thinking by not allowing anything that represents a stereotypical ‘house’. As a ‘home’ doesn’t have to be made of brick and have four walls and a roof, so would could it mean? Anything that resembles a mainstream ‘house’ is banned, use these reflective practices to think of more innovative demonstrations. Consider the following questions:

WHAT DO YOU THINK A HOME SHOULD BE?: Present your answer through experiences and opinions as an a physical outcome utilising your specialisms

WHO is affected?- Some are more affected than others, but the Housing Crisis affects all of us, especially as students. Whether through affordability, bad landlords or estate agents, repairs being neglected, poor quality housing conditions. Most, if not all, students that the Student Union have come across have had one or more of these issues with their housing presently or in the past. So most likely, you will have too. Think of the issues you have had and the aggravation and frustration that it caused you. YOU are affected in one or more of the above ways: utilise your experience to engage with the project.

WHAT does ‘home’ mean to you?defines as a ‘home’? Does it have to made of brick and mortar?makes your home safe? (or not)experiences with housing have you had?are the main issues with housing for yourself?are your expectations of a ‘home’?do you want from your ‘home’/space?should be changed/made different about your housing situation?would you change about the London housing crisis?do you expect or want to see from the future of housing?should be communicated?

WHY does your home makes you feel secure? (or not)do you have these expectations?

HOWcan you draw on your personal experiences?can you communicate these thoughts and opinions?can you represent the student standpoint on housing?

Professional experience building: developing skills, creative thinking and team-working to show how well you can use these skills to future employers. Whilst also partaking in a voluntary project that industry employers really value that the individual has taken the time to become involved in something additional to that of their University modules that are compulsory. It shows to employers that you, as an individual, are willing to go out that extra mile and not just do the work (e.g. University modules) that is expected of you.

Moreover, opting to take part in a project that is for a campaign that is for such a pressing societal and political issue that affects so many, and those of all different backgrounds and walks of life, is an impressive and valuable project to be participating in. It is something that everyone can relate to and commemorate and applaud because of that fact.

At the exhibition, all of the participants will be given the opportunity to have their business cards or other form of contact information available to all attendees at the event. This will be for the use of those interested in the work you have produced, and wish to contact you in the future for networking, collaboration or industry opportunity purposes.

Throughout the project period, when teams are designing, constructing and finalising there will be visual documentation of this through photography and/or videography. There will also be filming and photographing throughout the entirety of the Exhibition. All of this will be available to you upon submission of email addresses. This can then be used to show those who didn’t attend the event, the final product you had produced and the processes you had gone through to complete the outcome. It can be shown on any online platforms you utilise to showcase your work: online website/portfolio, or social media networks.

PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT

“The housing crisis isn’t about houses – it’s about people. It’s the family struggling to meet next month’s mortgage payment. The young family renting a rundown flat, wondering if they’ll ever be able to afford a home of their own. The children living in temporary accommodation, forced to change schools every time they move.” - Shelter, 2015 The Housing Crisis has developed for a number of reasons: home ownership is becoming unattainable as house prices are seven times citizen’s incomes, those who do own a home are struggling to reach their monthly mortgage repayments - both of these are then forcing more and more families to rent from private landlords which is generally unstable, financially increasing, hidden fees and eviction issues. All of these factors are resulting in large numbers of the public to be forced out of their homes. The number of homeless households has risen to more than 50,000 a year, and more than 2,000 people a year will end up sleeping in the streets. (Information provided by Shelter.org) These are shocking statistics that force us to take a stand to ensure that the current situation doesn’t get any worse, the most effective way to ensure changes are made is to take proposals to the Mayoral Assembly and those that pledge to put these proposals into affect will receive the support and votes from the students and citizens of London. Housing Problems Identified by Citizens UK: Affordability 36% Bad Landlords 18% No Control Over Local Developments 18% Other Issues 27% North London Citizens UK - Delegates Assembly, 25th November 2015, City & Islington College Ed Marsh, MDXSU Director and Barnet Borough Captain: “There’s a number of communities and citizens in Barnet that are affected by the Housing Crisis, but often feel powerless to what we can do about it. That’s why its important to come together like we are now to make a plan of action for the Mayoral Assembly.” Other Borough Captains stated the following at the Delegates Assembly: “People want to join our community, but we’re only building half the number of houses that we need too” “children are living in inadequate conditions in their houses, leading to long-term medical conditions” ”As citizens we have the most power, we don’t support one politician or the other, we have a choice” “Many of you here tonight spend over 2/3 of your income on your rent... Our suggestion is to campaign for rent to match up to their income, we should start a London Living Rent... No one should be charged more than 1/3 of their income for their rent” “If you take out one brick from the house, the whole house will fall down”

CAMPAIGN INFO.

Just some of the issues MDXSU has come acorss when having Housing Issues discussions: “Rats, broken windows, broken central heating, unfiltered water taps, mould” “Broken security gate, broken fridges, only 8 washing machines and dryers for 600 students in Platt Hall” “Broken applicances and windows, mould, inventory issues, cancelled contract” “Fake housing contract, mould, infestation” “Broken windows, rat infestation in neighbourhood” Guarantor or contract issues leading to homelessness Quotes of personal negative housing experiences from the Delegates Assembly: “I spent up to 7 hours a day commuting to London because i couldn’t find anywhere closer that i could afford... When i finally moved to London I am now paying 82% of my income on my rent” “I was evicted without a notice letter, I lived in a very small dirty flat with an infestation of rats. We are still waiting for a permanent home” “My son cant come home because of the poor quality of the house, such as mould. He has leukaemia and is in too much of a critical condition to return home. We have addressed this will the landlord and nothing has been done, my son will forever remain in hospital until the condition of the house is improved”

CAMPAIGN INFO.

Citizens UK are pledging to bring 6,000 residents from London to the Mayoral Assembly on 28th April, 7 - 10pm, in the Olympic Park; Middlesex University Students Union this year are working with Citizens UK as an Barnet Captain and partner organisation, pledging to bring 250 students to contribute (just over 1% of the Hendon Campus student population). The Students Union plan to do this by recruiting 25 people every week for 10 weeks through numerous events and actions throughout this period taking place on University campus. This is a large undertaking, and requires a number of networks to be brought together to achieve this number of students present on this integral event that will affect the future of those affected by the housing crisis. A number of events and actions are taking place to make students aware of their urgent required contribution, one of which will be the ‘Housing Village: Housing Campaign Initiative’. Students and staff involved with the Students Union are planning these opportunities to engage students in various ways before the Mayoral Assembly and Elections. Shouting4Housing is the campaign run by Middlesex University Students Union that in the 2015/16 academic year has a number of activities involving students in order for them to gain knowledge of the Crisis and share their housing experiences and opinions, and to be recruited to attend the Mayoral Assembly. There has been ‘Housing Villages’ on paper, interactive sessions to write thoughts on whiteboards and fabric ‘jigsaw pieces’ (that will together be made to create a patchwork quilt), a Shouting4Housing rap video - and there will be many more activities on campus to engage students and raise awareness. The Opportunity That The Mayoral Elections 2016 “The London Mayoral Election provides us with a significant opportunity. For the first time in decades, housing is top of a major political agenda. Since 2000, London Citizens has used the opportunity of the London Mayoral Election to enable the voice of citizens to help set the agenda of the incoming Mayor. This has been a critically important tactic in the success of the Living Wage campaign.” Citizens UK London “In Autumn 2015, London Citizens’ member institutions met in their boroughs to hear stories of how the housing crisis is affecting people and vote on the housing issues that are most important to them. The three issues that have been voted for as most pressing across the capital are: Affordability – the cost of a home in London is simply too much. Bad landlords in the private rented sector. Lack of control over local developments and regeneration projects. Introducing a Deputy Mayor Citizenship and Integration The Office for Citizenship would have three key goals: 1. Celebrate new Londoners and encourage their civic engagement by working with London’s local government and within the London Plan to arrange citizenship ceremonies, voter registration,

CAMPAIGN OUTCOMES

CAMPAIGN OUTCOMES

integration and volunteering events to help all Londoners play a part in the civic life of the capital 2. Encouraging new Londoners to become citizens and play a full part in public and civic life, including a goal of 100,000 new citizenship registrations over the term 3. Ensure the capital plays its part in the refugee crisis. The Deputy Mayor and their office would be responsible for refugee resettlement and be set a target of 110 refugees per parliamentary constituency over the term – supported by civil society and community sponsorship to make this a reality The first goal seeks to breathe more life and value to citizenship ceremonies across London. Between 80,000 and 100,000 ceremonies take place in London each year and this existing work could be animated further by the new Deputy Mayor. In particular, all those going through ceremonies would be expected to sign up to the electoral register (improving their credit and increasing democratic participation in London). Ceremonies could be held at major sporting and cultural occasions and provide a backbone to projection of London as an inclusive, diverse city. The importance of the proposals that Citizens UK are asking of the future Mayor: ‘Living Wage is a flagship Citizens UK policy that has taken on a life of its own. The determination and success of the LW campaign has changed the landscape on low pay in the UK. Ideas that were unthinkable 10 years ago are gaining traction. Politicians, policy makers and the public think about poverty and low pay in a different way thanks to our work. This provides a great opportunity but also a great challenge. Innovative and alternative policies such as the governments ‘national living wage’, a ‘universal basic income’ or a ‘national minimum wage for London’ are jostling for position. Retaining ownership and recognition for the work done by CUK members over that past 15 years is crucial. The London Mayoral election provides a unique opportunity to gain commitment and recognitions that will allow the London LW campaign to flourish over the next 5 years. Vocal support from the Mayor lends weight to the campaign which allows us to engage more businesses in the LW and the wider work done but CUK.’

There’s such a large number of issues with housing for students, especially those living in London. The biggest issue is affordability, but there are also a number of other issues that affect student living and make the prices being paid all the more aggravating.

- Student rents are putting undergraduate budgets under pressure, leaving about half struggling to pay for housing, according to a survey by the National Union of Students.

- At the same time some are ending up in university accommodation that they say is unfit for purpose.

- Oliver Mawhinney, a second-year student campaigner, said students had seen rents rise by more than £800 over the past three years. When the latest rise comes into effect, rents will be £1,500 higher than the maximum maintenance grant available outside London. “Often the accommodation is very old. Many of the rooms do not have en-suite or cooking facilities on the corridor. There are often issues of damp or draughts,”

- “Currently student accommodation takes up 95% of the maximum amount of finance available for a student, which leaves them with an impossibly small amount of money to live on,” said Shelly Asquith, NUS vice president In London. However the youth arm of the Green party is working on a campaign to introduce a student living rent, equal to 35% of the average student’s weekly income, including grants and money from part-time jobs.

- The Greens’ candidate for mayor of London, Sian Berry, is behind the scheme. “Rents are the new way in which students are being impoverished and exploited,” she said. “I believe student rents are the next big scandal, and young people in our universities desperately need a student living rent, because life is difficult enough for them already without the kind of extortionate charges many of them are being asked to pay.”

- Single rooms at Durham University, which cost £94 a week six years ago, are being let for £136 a week, or £5,423 over the academic year. Which is very similar to that of Middlesex University’s student accommodation, with the highest price reaching £250 per week. and prices rising up to £579.80 a year more than previously two years ago.

Middlesex University Halls of ResidenceUsher Halls2015/16 price: £144.48 p/w (full year - £7512.96)2013/14 price: £133.33 p/wRising to £11.15 more per week, that’s £579.80 more per year

Issues: outdated decor, doesn’t have that ‘communal feel’, dark and dingy, tiny rooms

Platt Halls2015/16 price: £131.81 p/w (full year - £6854.12)2013/16 price: £121.81 p/w

STUDENT HOUSING

STUDENT HOUSING

Rising to £10.00 more per week, that’s £520.00 more per year

Issues: Only 8 washing machines and dryers to accommodate nearly 600 students, there’s also been complaints of broken fridges and the security gate being broken (dismissing the security policies at the halls), tiny and bland rooms

New accommodation being built that is available for students from 2016, but is a high cost for studentsPrices ranging from £174.50 to £250 per week

Common issues that MDXSU have found:MouldRat infestationsBroken appliances, central heating, windows or furnishingsUnrepaired appliances Fake contracts with estate agentsContracts fallen through, leaving students homelessUnaffordablePoor quality of housingUnfiltered water taps

LONDONCITIZENSCitizens UK London brings communities together to act for social justice and the common good. They have 220 communities in membership reaching over 350,000 Londoners. They state, “More than one in ten Londoners sit on council waiting lists, private rents have hit a record high and the average home in the capital costs over 15 times the average salary.”

“Decent, secure and affordable housing is getting harder and harder to come by in London. Increasing pressure on local authority provisions and exponentially increasing house prices mean that many people are having to choose between living in inadequate housing conditions or leaving their friends, family and community for good.”

The Proposals“We propose that a mark of genuinely affordable rents is developed that is linked entirely to incomes, ensuring that these homes are once again affordable to Londoners. This would be called a London Living Rent.”

North London Citizens Proposal Summary to Tackle the Housing Crisis1. Living RentThe so-called ‘affordable housing’ isn’t affordable. We must define affordability for the public’s income, not out of control market rate. A ‘Living Rent’ means social rent should be no more than a third of the income for someone on Living Wage.

If you, the next Mayor of London, agree to:- To back our Living Rent as a mark of genuine affordability, including it in the next London Plan.- To include Living Rent homes on all public land and mayoral Housing Zone development.- To require developments to include Living Rent homes to access GLA funding- To deliver over 10,000 London Living Rent homes in London by 2020, just 5% of the homes London must build in the next mayoralty.

London Citizens will: Work with our 220 member institutions to support planning applications that include London Living Rent homes, ensuring protracted planning negotiations do not delay housing supply.

2. Rogue Landlord TaskforceThe balance of power between landlords and tenants is unfair, there a number of issues regarding landlords: insure tenancies, rent hikes, neglected repairs to name a few

If you, the next Mayor of London, agree to:1. To set up a fully staffed, permanent London-wide Rogue Landlord Taskforce within 12 months of taking office.2. To appoint a Deputy Mayor to head up the taskforce3. To require the taskforce to maintain and publish a ‘Rogue Landlord Blacklist’

London Citizens will: Work with our 220 member institutions to identify and report rogue and criminal landlords.

LONDON CITIZENS

Work with local authorities to support vulnerable tenants affected by the conviction of criminal landlords and last minute evictions across the capital.

3. Good Homes Development CharterIn order for people to be able to afford to stay in London, we need to double the number of decent, secure and affordable homes built each year. 73% of Londoners want more homes built8 and yet it is those against building new homes that have their voices heard most. If we are to build the number and type of homes London needs, we must ensure the voices of this majority are heard. This can only be done if those people see their voice can make a real difference. Londoners must be given a greater say over how those homes are built, how much they cost and who they are for.

Good Homes criteria would mean: 50% affordable homes for developments on public land, including London Living Rent and Community Land Trust homes as examples of best practice. If 50% affordable is deemed unachievable on private land, an Independent Public Viability Assessment must be carried out reaching the same conclusion to justify delivering any less. Local people to get priority for affordable homes, including local waiting lists and key workers. Estate regeneration schemes must include a right to return and the provision of a home at an equivalent or greater standard in the same local authority boundary in the meantime. A decision-making steering group made up of local people must be included to work alongside the housebuilder.

If you, the next Mayor of London, agree to:1. To back our Good Homes Charter as a mark of good development, including it in the next London Plan, with a target of 50% of all developments to be affordable housing2. To deliver Good Homes developments on all public land and mayoral Housing Zones3. To require developments to meet our Good Homes criteria in order to access GLA funding4. To work with Citizens UK to deliver Good Homes developments across the capital, starting with the 15 sites already identified by London Citizens’ members5. If 1,000 people that live in postcodes bordering a site sign a ‘call to action’, the Mayor of London will call applications in and require them to meet our Good Homes criteria

London Citizens will: Work with our 220 member institutions to support planning applications for Good Homes developments, ensuring protracted planning negotiations do not delay housing supply.

MATERIALREQUESTChoose from the below options for the materials that will be used throughout this project. Select only the materials that you plan to use that suits your design idea. Your material request is at no financial cost to yourself.

MDF wood2mm full board

Carbon Steel Twin Thread Woodscrews 120pkOption of 12 different twin thread wood screw sizes: 50 x 4.0x40mm, 40 x 4.0x20mm, 50 x 4.0x30mm, 20 x 5.0x70mm, 40 x 4.0x30mm, 70 x 3.5x30mm, 80 x 3.0x25mm, 20 x 5.0x60mm, 50 x 3.5x50mm, 80 x 3.5x20, 80 x 3.0x16mm and 20 x 5.0x50mm.

Nails200 piece, AssortedCorrex4 sheets2 mm White - 2400mm x 1200mm

CLIC Rivets4.5/5.5mm 50pk whitePainting materialsCalico3 metres, natural

Coloured linen/polyester fabricPolystyrenePhotographic paper (for photographic, illustration prints)Equipment: cameras, recorders, computers etcAdd in your required materials

PRE-PROJECT

The following information will be discussed and explained:- Project Reasoning and Outline- Project Brief- Project Outcomes (for participants)- Project Outcomes (for the campaign)- Campaign Information- Campaign Outcomes- Project Timeline and Structure- Materials- Exhibition- Creative Communication- Collaborations and Team Working

Project Handbook handed to all interested students to take away

Housing Pictionary workshop: students asked to think of their (recent) past or current housing issues, and to draw those on a sheet of paper. No words are allowed to be shown on the paper, just drawings. It doesn’t have to be ‘a work of art’, but is to get the students thinking of how their personal issues that are relevant to the Housing Crisis and how these can be shown through creative methods.

Q & A session with Project Manager

Sign up forms completed for those wishing to partake in the project

REFLECTIVE PRACTICES

Discuss individual experiences, opinions and thoughts on the Housing Crisis. Explore contextual and research development and experimental investigation that has been collected.Split into teams to identify collective ideas and thoughts from the discussion and begin to identify potential design ideas.

Individually writing down all of your issues with housing in your time at University/the last few years, to then use this in creative practices of how these can be shown in the product.

The following will be discussed in order to stimulate creative thinking:

Theoretical Consideration:What does a ‘home’ mean to you?What defines as a ‘home’? Does a home have to be the stereotypical brick building?What makes your home safe? (or not)What in your home makes you feel safe?Why do you feel safe in your home? (or not)What positive experiences have you had with housing? (over your lifetime or upon moving to University)What negative experiences have you had with housing (particularly in London or at University)What do you think or feel about the Housing Crisis?

Practical Consideration:How can your experiences, thoughts and ideas reflect through an exhibited outcome?The practicality of a person viewing the outcome as if they could feel, see or experience themselves in that situationHow will the person enter the ‘home’?What is an ‘enclosed space’?What is required in a home in order to fully reside in? A surface/furnishing to sleep on, a space that encloses yourself and your privacy, or somewhere to feel safe, comfortable and relaxed?

Identify the PROBLEMProduce a SOLUTION

WEEKONE

WEEK TWO

CREATIVE PRACTICES

Using theoretical and practical consideration discussions from the previous week, think of how these discussion outcomes can be communicated through the design, performance or product. Using the ideas of what makes a ‘home’ to challenge to mainstream ideas and designs of housing.

Delegate roles within your team: identify each of your team’s strengths in order to decide who will contribute a particular part of the project (designing, processes of construction/production)

Design and consider potential outcomes on paper in order to develop final design ideas. Explore creative methods, processes and techniques to be used

Produce a small scale prototype of your proposed final outcome out of selected materials

Material consideration: Identify materials to be used to submit a materials request (out of the restricted materials available)

Produce a plan for your construction/production/production process and methods for the entirety of the project: what steps do you need to take first? What are the finishing touches in the last week?

Decide within your team on a finalised outcome idea, present this to the Project Manager and all Project participants

WEEKTHREEConstruction/production CONSIDERATION

Begin to construct the final design using provided materials. Using the plan made in the previous week, consider what stage of construction/production/production you will begin with in order to produce your final outcome. Refine creative methods, processes and techniques. Consider concepts, contexts and outreach.

Materials: you are allowed to use the materials in any way for your development of the outcome and to produce the best solution for your design. You are allowed to cut the material sheets down to smaller sizes, but be conscious of the amount of materials supplied to you, and ensure there is as little wastage as possible.

Things that could be considered when designing and constructing the product:- The anthropometrics of a space - How the person will enter/view the Housing Space- Qualities of choosing light/transparency or dark/opaque - What is meant by ‘sense of enclosure’? How can this be demonstrated through your creative medium?- What is required of a place to reside; privacy, safety and security, comfort?- The qualities of the materials provided (structurally and aesthetically)

Use the above pointers for considerations of how your product will be constructed/produced, and how this can produce the design that best represents your Housing Crisis personal experiences, ideas and opinions.

WEEK FOUR

Construction/production CONTINUATION

From the foundations made in the previous week, begin to build upon this.

It is advisable to familiarise with basic structural principles. Use examples of other similar designs, performances or products and how they’ve been structured/produced.

WEEKFIVESIXWEEK FIVE - Construction/production CONTINUATION

Build the final stages of your outcome, aiming to finish most of the construction/production

WEEK SIX - FINALISATION

Finalise construction/production to produce a fully resolved outcome to be unveiled at the exhibition

This is the last chance to finish off all of construction/production in order to produce the final outcome.

This project may be able to allow this project to form the basis of one of your current projects, in order to expand on the research and engagement following the completion of the project. Below is the courses that tutors have confirmed this to be true. If your course is not listed, asking your tutor if it could be part of your research for your project would be advised.

BA Fine Art Year 2: Loraine Leeson will allow this project to be submitted as part of your project research in social art practices.BA Fine Art Year 3: Loraine Leeson will allow this project to form the basis of your final major project, in order to expand on the research and engagement following the completion of the project.

Six internships have been secured at House of Hemingway Design. This is a company that was founded by Wayne Hemingway, the former founder of Red or Dead, to ‘DESIGN THINGS’ in various projects across the UK. The company works in many fields in the creative industry, which is why it is the perfect opportunity for ALL students on this project; from Interiors, graphic design to exhibitions and events. The company is very socially and culturally engaged, with Housing Issues often being written about and projects surrounding social housing and facing the issues housing brings with it. The winners of the project will be given these placements, the winners will be decided by the Judging Panel on specific criteria (explained in the Project Brief). The two week internship dates are as follows to choose from: w/c 13th June; w/c 20th June; w/c 27th June; w/c 18th July; w/c 5th September; w/c 19th September

House of Hemingway Design:“As a multi-disciplinary team, our diverse and high-profile client list reflects the strength of talent behind HemingwayDesign. Over 30 years’ experience has seen us collaborate with the likes of Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Coca-Cola, The National Trust, B&Q, eBay and Royal Mail, to name a few.

When it comes to housing regeneration, we’ve influenced the skylines of Gateshead, Dartford, Manchester, Maidenhead, Bournemouth, King’s Lynn, Skelmersdale and Whitehaven, each with great acclaim. Recently we headed the £18m re-imagining of Dreamland in Margate, where we carefully unfold the 1920s-50s design and pieced it back together in a way that preserved its historical integrity, but also made it an exciting and culturally significant for a modern audience. Interior design is one of our specialities – see our work in the former 2012 Athletes’ Village, Flat 130 Balfron Tower, The Institute of Directors and within our own self-titled homeware collection, or our furniture range for G Plan.

Then there are our cultural events and exhibitions. Since 2010, we’ve produced over 20, including the annual Vintage Festival, Classic Car Boot Sale and The Festival of Thrift, which enjoyed a combined audience of over 100,000 in 2014. They are also a perfect reflection of HemingwayDesign’s personality; a mind focused on community values, one eye searching for great British design and both hands transforming a sow’s ear into a silk purse.

Our marketing arm, HemingwayDigital, is where our web consultants, advertising executives and creative designers fuse together. We craft success stories for brands we believe in, connecting them to the niche audiences we’ve been influencing for decades. Working across print, advertising and digital channels, and with expertise in online strategy and social media, our campaigns filter through the blurred messages of today’s media, and target consumers head-on. And finally, the last string to our bow: the graphics team. They provide the design and brand expertise to transform corporate identities into communicative tools, which strike at the heart of the customer base.”

PROJECT INCENTIVE

CERTIFICATION

There is an opportunity to receive recognition for this project. There are three digital ‘badges’, that are a form of certificate, they are awarded for different factors. The certificates are not exclusive to this project, but are for Art and Design students to receive recognition for the extra-curricular projects they take part in. They were produced by Paul Haywood (Art and Design Deputy Dean) and his Administrative Assistant for Engagement, Kerri Jefferis.

It is something that provides official backing for stating that you took part in the project, and proofs the work that you’ve put into the project. It adds extra weighting to your CV. If you received 12 of these digital badges throughout your time at Middlesex University, you would be receive a Dean Recognition Award, which is a high honour for a student to receive this at Middlesex University.

The digital badges are awarded for three areas: participation, research and curiosity, organisational skills. They have different requirements for how they can be attained. But they have all been created to be as attainable as possible.

ParticipationThis is to show proof of participation in a project, so to add backing to your CV/portfolio when stating that you have partaken in a project. And that the project actually has some value. The requirements to obtain this badge are to attend ALL sessions throughout the project duration. For this Housing Village project, a register will be taken to prove your attendance when it comes to obtaining the badge. Your progress throughout the project will also be visually documented and recorded for your team.

Research and CuriosityThis badge requires a portfolio of evidence and evaluation. Throughout the project, photographing and filming will be taking place and at the exhibition on 18th April which can be submitted as your portfolio, which you can add as much additional visual documentation too. Aside from visuals, you can also submit research that you have gathered throughout the project that you have used to develop and engage throughout. This submission will show you can effectively research and engage, and proves your research and development skills to the creative industry. There will also be a short evaluation, which is an opportunity for you to explain your thought processes and research ideas. There are prompting questions throughout the evaluation to make it as easy as possible.

Organisational SkillsYou will be required to submit evidence of your organisational skills - so how you have organised your research and design process throughout the project within your team. Recording all of the research and design ideas you have collated over the project should be submitted. Again, there will also be a short evaluation, which is an opportunity for you to explain your organisation skills that you have gained or developed. There are prompting questions throughout the evaluation to make it as easy as possible.

EXHIBITION

Monday 18th April 20165 - 8pm, Grove Atrium, Middlesex University

Itinerary

5.00 - 5.20pm: Networking and exhibition viewing, a show reel of the project process

5.20pm - 5.30pm: Video on the Housing Campaign: Estate, A Reverie by Andrea Luka Zimmerman

Speeches: 5.30 - 6.00

Welcome speech from Project Manager

Deputy Dean of Art and Design, Paul Haywood

6.00 - 6.30pm: Judge Panel makes a decision on the winner, the winning team presents on why they made the decisions they did for their final outcome

Activist Speech: 6.30 - 6.45

Housing Crisis Monopoly (Interactive Oversized Game) 6.45 - 7.30pm

Networking and open exhibition viewing 7.30 - 8.00pm

Throughout the event there will be filming and photography for University coverage and local media, and also show reels of the project process

The Housing Village Exhibition provides the opportunity to showcase all of the ‘A Housing Village: Campaign Project Initiative’ finalised outcomes that all participants have made, and also their talent. At the exhibition the product outcomes will be ‘unveiled’ to students, Student Union and Middlesex University staff, media, and University networks. For all student to be invited to find out more about the housing crisis and why the mayoral elections are so important for the future of the Housing Crisis, and them voting is what will change that. For numerous communities, groups, schools and citizens that are affected or are interested in the Housing Crisis to join together at this event for networking, sharing ideas and engaging with the campaign.

After the Exhibition, the Housing Village is left throughout the following week in the Grove Atrium for students to view and enjoy.

EXHIBITION

CONNECTINGCOMMUNITIESPotentially or Confirmed Attending:Tim Blackman, Vice ChancellorPaul Haywood, Art and Design Deputy Dean Phil Healy, Head of Visual ArtsKerri JefferisCamille AzriaLoraine LeesonArt and Design studentsMiddlesex University StudentsStudents Union Team: Including President, Vice Presidents, Director, Head of Membership, Head of Student Voice, Student Voice TeamLocal activist and campaigners Local Council MembersCitizens UK Citizens North London Barnet Borough PartnersPlatform LondonOur West HendonBarnet MomentumTake Back Our CityHouse of HemingwayClitterhouse Farm ProjectCreate LondonNoise: The Art of ProtestCreativity WorksCraftivist CollectiveBBC Get CreativePeckham PlatformAirStudioChisenhale GalleryThe ShowroomUgly DuckCommon PracticeCORA ArtThis is Live ArtTATE ModernICA Alternative ArtsArtists Organisation InternationalCounterpoints ArtsShape ArtsSocialist StudentsLabour StudentsSocialist Review

Socialist WorkerNational Housing FederationGlobal Justice NowFurther FieldLocal primary schools

MEDIACOVERAGE

The GuardianLondon Evening Standard

The MirrorHuffington Post

The ConversationBarnet and Whetstone Press

Hendon and Finchley PressNorth London Press

Barnet NewsInstitute of Art and Ideas

POW MediaGrove Magazine

MDXSU onlinemdx.ac.uk

UniHub