Leslie Channon explains how Housing Day 2014 encouraged her to share her story as a single mother living in social housing and receiving benefits. She recalls feeling shame about her circumstances in the past. Housing Day has empowered her to speak out and be counted, helping others to change negative perceptions of social housing tenants. It has also made her more empathetic towards others facing financial hardship. She is grateful for the safe housing her family has and uses Housing Day to share positive stories that showcase the difference social housing makes in people's lives.

1. 'I am no longer willing to be silent - I am a
proud tenant'
16/11/2015
CIH member Leslie Channon explains how Housing Day 2014 encouraged her
to find her voice.
When I was approached last year by my
landlord, Cottsway Housing, to write my personal Housing Day story, my first response was
to inwardly cringe. At that moment I realised I had taken on a shroud of shame regarding my
current circumstances – I was the cliché single mother of two living in social housing, and a
recipient of benefits.
I recall attending a social event when an acquaintance made the scathing comment: "All these
people (she was referring to people on benefits) living off of my taxes - I work hard, those
people should get off of their asses and get a job." I did not speak out! I was silenced by my
self-induced shame. It was then I realised the beautifully-politicked demonisation of a group
of people had successfully convinced the British public, en-mass, into believing their
financial hardships were a direct result of these feckless, lazy benefit-scroungers.
Furthermore, 'poverty porn' has done nothing but reinforce this belief. In all honesty, if I had
not been in my situation, I probably would have believed the same thing. The uncomfortable
truth is that most people in receipt of housing benefit and tax-credits are in work. It is
interesting to me there has been zero blame focused on the banks or the corporate tax
avoiders for the economic mess we’re in. It reminds me of the atmosphere of 1930s Germany
and a government’s political demonisation of a group of people for the financial inequities
within a country. History has been witness to this dangerous thinking before – blaming a
specific group of people for society’s economic problems.
This is why I think Housing Day is so important. By owning my own Housing Day story last
year, it has not only freed me from my own bondage of shame but it has also made me more

2. empathetic towards my fellow human beings. Everyone is walking their own journey, and
who am I to judge?
Housing Day has made me also feel I have a responsibility to stand up and be counted. My
hope is that by doing so, it will encourage others to do the same. We need to change the face
of social housing and I think Housing Day enables us to do that.
It was never my life goal to be a single mother of two small children, living in social housing
on benefits, but I am grateful that I have a safe, clean, secure roof over my head for my
family and there is no threat of eviction.
I was in London celebrating my MA graduation with my with my children last week when we
saw several doorways with abandoned blankets and evidence of the previous night’s rough
sleepers. I felt extreme sadness that in the 21st century, most housing is unaffordable for the
majority of our population. As we were walking through an underpass near the Natural
History museum, my six year-old son commented: "This is horrible and dirty," and I replied:
"For some people, this is the only place they have to sleep." He looked up at me in disbelief.
"Really?" he questioned, "but that is so sad, mummy."
Housing Day for me is an opportunity to focus on the positives of social housing tenants and
the amazing stories of triumph overcoming despair, as well as the difference this sector
makes to the lives of its tenants and the communities they serve. I am no longer willing to be
silent - I am a #proudtenant and Housing Day 2014 allowed me to find my voice. Happy
Housing Day!