Hill Country Alliance’s Post

Did you know that there's a looming deadline in Wales and England, for 2031, at which point thousands of miles of footpaths and public rights of way will be extinguished, possibly for good? There are more than 8,000 current requests for existing paths and bridleways to be added to the official PRoW map - some of those requests happened before I was born and are still (!!!) not processed. These are not path grabs by greedy trespassers, but a legal process for acknowledging and protecting historic rights of way which have for centuries been the lifeblood of our communities. That legal process is dead in the water. Years ago, the Welsh Government pledged to remove this arbitrary and potentially disastrous deadline but to my knowledge it hasn't actually been done - typical of their "we'll get round to it" historic attitude towards access. On the other hand, last year the Westminster Government bowed to landowner pressures and u-turned on abolishing the deadline with the excuse that it will 'bring certainty to all parties'. Certainty of a vast loss is a type of certainty I guess. With reports last year of 32,000 blockages to existing rights of way, the condition of our paths and trails should now be seen as an urgent matter for both governments. Blaming the processing delays on councils is an abdication of responsibility. The British Mountaineering Council Right to Roam Open Spaces Society #PRoWs Ramblers Cymru The Ramblers #paths

The Minister has agreed the recommendations below. Welsh Government is now drafting new policy directions to incorporate these recommendations, which will be issued to National Lottery Community Fund as soon as they are ready. Welsh Government will then hand over to the National Lottery Community Fund, and the next stage of the process will be undertaken by them, as they do further research and mapping to design their grant schemes. Just a quick update on the Dormant Assets Funding in Wales. As you know, earlier this year Welsh Government consulted on the Future spending purposes for dormant assets funding in Wales. In the outcomes document, it was agreed that the recommendation for future policy directions should be on children and young people. This spending purpose had the most support among the people who responded to the consultation. (fyi we also responded) This summary of responses, also has the recommendations Future spending purposes for dormant assets funding in Wales | GOV.WALES. The recommendations say …. We therefore propose to recommend the issue of new policy directions to the National Lottery Community Fund stating that they must allocate dormant assets funding in Wales according to the following themes: Supporting children and young people to reach their full potential by: • enabling them to take action on the climate and nature emergencies; • supporting them to participate in community action; • providing them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage money well throughout their lives. Next steps Welsh Ministers will now consider this recommendation. So its not completely agreed yet, but I understand we will hear soon. I think that’s a small win!

One of the greatest challenges facing rural Iowa today is maintaining and expanding access to affordable, quality housing. On Talk of Iowa we took a look at why and at what some communities are doing to address the issue: https://lnkd.in/gwquFwjP

🏡 Share housing risks, regulations and consumer protections: here's a The Conversation Australia + NZ short summary version of our recently published International Journal of Housing Policy analysis of risks, consumer advice, and 3 ways housing justice for share house tenants can be improved, led by Zoë Goodall at Centre for Urban Transitions #renting #privaterenting #housingjustice #consumers #housing #PRS

The Lost City: This is the city that will never be built. 7000 construction workers, enough to build a city, have died by suicide in the past decade. The Lost City addresses this crisis, showing the true scale of construction suicides. Visit https://lnkd.in/e4QC3ZPu to see how you can help. On The Tools

Reducing the BARRIERS to Housing – Support Group - FREE Workshop  Every 2nd/4th Monday Time: 2PM - 3PM FREE Workshop  Visit Our Partner For More Information Workshop covers: Challenges with previous evictions Finding suitable permanent housing Supportive Housing Background checks Affordable Housing Landlord/Tenant Laws Other relevant topics https://lnkd.in/gJ5NvXM7

Reducing the BARRIERS to Housing – Support Group - FREE Workshop  Every 2nd/4th Monday Time: 2PM - 3PM FREE Workshop  Visit Our Partner For More Information Workshop covers: Challenges with previous evictions Finding suitable permanent housing Supportive Housing Background checks Affordable Housing Landlord/Tenant Laws Other relevant topics https://lnkd.in/gJ5NvXM7

Home, Health & Justice in San Antonio The San Antonio Coalition for Dignified Housing is more than a partnership—it’s a movement. Three incredible nonprofit organizations have united to amplify community voices, advocate for equitable housing, and empower residents to shape their neighborhoods and access the health benefits they deserve. Together, they’re proving that when communities lead, real change happens. From safe and affordable homes to healthier futures, they’re building more than houses—they’re building dignity and hope. Watch the full story unfold: https://lnkd.in/eUhDJZnp

Reducing the BARRIERS to Housing – Support Group - FREE Workshop  Every 2nd/4th Monday Time: 2PM - 3PM FREE Workshop  Visit Our Partner For More Information Workshop covers: Challenges with previous evictions Finding suitable permanent housing Supportive Housing Background checks Affordable Housing Landlord/Tenant Laws Other relevant topics https://lnkd.in/gJ5NvXM7