Putting Coffee Shop Man into the picture

I steam into the coffee shop this morning for my habitual expresso clutching the Camden New Journal. I open it up before the Coffee Shop Man stabbing the fantastic front page with my other index finger.

"See this?"

I don't often go into the coffee shop since I bought my own stove top cafetiere (£12.99 in the sale) but the past couple of days I keep forgetting to buy the ground beans whenever I'm out and I need a good kick in the morning.

Coffee Shop Man looks at the headline.

"I read in a the paper not long ago that the council were taking a block in Queens Crescent, near where I live, to rent the flats out to people in the private sector," he says. "They say they're doing it to raise money to refurbish other properties but they've put DSS in there who are getting it for free for three years. Getting it for free while the Council pays for it."

"No," I say. "You're paying for it, housing benefit's paid by the Treasury, not the council." And I tell him about the Private Rental Scheme. It's news to him.

Coffee Shop Man's been on a housing journey of his own. Years ago he bought his council flat, sold it, bought another property, in the meantime setting up his business.

"People were telling me to buy it, I know it's a right wing thing to do but I'm actually a socialist."

I laugh. "I'm not against the Right to Buy," I say. "You wouldn't have all this if you hadn't had that chance. Why shouldn't poor people have the same chances as everyone else? Have a foundation to build their lives from?"

It's a tough one. I'm told there's no flat for me because of the Right to Buy. I believe in a secure tenancy. You get that secure tenancy renting with the council. Will I buy?

I could say "Yes" because it's my right but I'm very much "No". With a secure rental tenancy I don't need to.

Then I think of my son's two visits to the Homeless Person's Unit. I never want him to see that place when he's an adult so I have to say "I don't know". I never want to go through this journey again, so I have to say "I don't know".

I don't know but I hope not. I'm still hanging out for my second lottery win. My first was my son, of course. I really hit the jackpot with him. I just need some cash now.

Cash to buy a home, somewhere nice, somewhere safe. Somewhere where I can bring up my son. Somewhere over the rainbow.

I don't blame the Right to Buy. There's no flat for me because THEY'RE AUCTIONING THEM OFF. Building replacements? Who knows.