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Firebrand Councillor Billy McAllister Resigns From Housing Association In Protest Over Bedroom Tax
A CITY councillor has resigned from the board of a housing association in protest over the bedroom tax.
Canal representative Billy McAllister quit Maryhill Housing Association to highlight his refusal to evict tenants who have fallen into rent arrears as a result of the controversial welfare reform.
His resignation came the day after a survey from council umbrella body Cosla revealed that rent arrears for social housing were up year-on-year by £2million in April.
Three-quarters of councils blamed the bedroom tax for the rise.
McAllister, deputy leader of the SNP’s Glasgow group, slammed the “iniquitous tax” and warned that the arrears it is causing could destroy communities.
He said: “Someone needs to take a stand here and I will not evict a tenant on the grounds of bedroom tax.
“Those affected are the poorest of the poor, normal people who have done nothing to deserve the penury inflicted upon them by a callous Tory government.”
McAllister warned that the system housing associations use to evict tenants could be abused by those with personal grudges.
He said: “Worse still is the flawed system that sees board members, housing association tenants themselves, ratifying the evictions of their neighbours.
“This will tear apart communities, as well as being susceptible to those who hold grudges.”
The secretary of local activist group Unite Canal Community Branch praised Councillor McAllister’s stand.
Alex O’Kane said: “He’s doing the honourable thing.
“Neighbours passing judgement on neighbours is a dangerous thing and has the potential to cause massive tension in communities.”
A CITY councillor has resigned from the board of a housing association in protest over the bedroom tax.
Canal representative Billy McAllister quit Maryhill Housing Association to highlight his refusal to evict tenants who have fallen into rent arrears as a result of the controversial welfare reform.
His resignation came the day after a survey from council umbrella body Cosla revealed that rent arrears for social housing were up year-on-year by £2million in April.
Three-quarters of councils blamed the bedroom tax for the rise.
McAllister, deputy leader of the SNP’s Glasgow group, slammed the “iniquitous tax” and warned that the arrears it is causing could destroy communities.
He said: “Someone needs to take a stand here and I will not evict a tenant on the grounds of bedroom tax.
“Those affected are the poorest of the poor, normal people who have done nothing to deserve the penury inflicted upon them by a callous Tory government.”
McAllister warned that the system housing associations use to evict tenants could be abused by those with personal grudges.
He said: “Worse still is the flawed system that sees board members, housing association tenants themselves, ratifying the evictions of their neighbours.
“This will tear apart communities, as well as being susceptible to those who hold grudges.”
The secretary of local activist group Unite Canal Community Branch praised Councillor McAllister’s stand.
Alex O’Kane said: “He’s doing the honourable thing.
“Neighbours passing judgement on neighbours is a dangerous thing and has the potential to cause massive tension in communities.”
