Property Law expert Professor Dave Cowan spoke about the implications of recent Supreme Court decisions for homelessness in the second annual lecture hosted jointly by Kent Law School and the Canterbury Housing Advice Centre (CHAC).
The guest lecture was held last week on Kent’s Canterbury campus to help raise awareness of the work CHAC undertakes supporting people in the local community facing homelessness.
CHAC Chair, Kent Law School Lecturer Nick Piska, said: ‘Professor Cowan’s lecture on the impact of the Supreme Court decisions on housing provision and its effect on homelessness provided an excellent analysis and critique of the difficulties faced by all those involved in tackling homelessness, from housing officers through lawyers up to the Supreme Court, particularly as a consequence of the current austerity drive.
‘He made clear the importance of the legal advice that charities such as CHAC provide to local communities against the backdrop of excessively opaque, numerous and complex forms, standards and laws. If housing officers, lawyers and judges – including Supreme Court judges – find it difficult to interpret and apply these standards and laws, then it’s difficult to expect that vulnerable people facing homelessness should be able to know their rights without access to legal advice. This is exactly why a service such as that provided by CHAC is essential.’
‘I’d like to thank everyone who came and supported CHAC. As with many voluntary and charitable organisations at the moment, CHAC’s funding situation is precarious. We welcome any donations and offers of support.’
Canterbury based charity CHAC was founded in 1991 and works to prevent homelessness in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay with specialist caseworkers providing support to people at risk of eviction or repossession. CHAC also offers advice on mortgage arrears, tenancy rights and housing benefit.
Professor Dave Cowan teaches Property Law at the University of Bristol Law School, including his own optional units, Welfare Housing and Complaints and their Redress. He is the co-author of a research report examining current practises of shared ownership in the UK. The report, ‘Exploring experiences of shared ownership housing: reconciling owning and renting‘, was written in collaboration with Professor Helen Carr from Kent Law School and was launched in the House of Lords in July.
For more information about the free, confidential and independent help that CHAC provides, visit their Facebook page or website
Pictured above are CHAC Manager Paul Wilkinson, Professor Dave Cowan and Nick Piska.
