Over the past 100 years social housing has changed both the political and physical landscape of Britain. From “homes fit for heroes” to the mass housebuilding programmes following the Beveridge report, much of the reason Britain has changed so much since the Victorian era is down to the idea that everyone deserves decent shelter.
Some social housing projects have become critically acclaimed, such as Erno Goldfinger’s Trellick Tower, Camden’s Branch Hill and the Brunswick Centre. Sheffield’s Park Hill and the Trellick Tower are shortly to be included in National Trust tours of Brutalist architecture. Others are facing demolition, or have fallen into disrepair.
But social housing is more than just shelter. We want to hear your personal stories of living in social housing: what it offers you and your community, memories of the community, and how it has altered the course of your life. We want to see photos of current and former social housing, and the homes you grew up in, or still live in and near.
We’ll feature the best in a gallery, and collate your memories and stories for publication throughout September, creating a readers’ history of social housing.
You can share your photographs or videos of your allotment by clicking on the blue ‘contribute’ button on this article or you can download the free GuardianWitness app if you have a smartphone. Please use the description field to tell us more about the photo or video.
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