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In photos: Hundreds of Lewisham Citizens campaign for better housing

In photos: Hundreds of Lewisham Citizens campaign for better housing

Two young Lewisham Citizens leaders at an action holding signs that say 'we need healthy homes' and 'Lewisham needs safer homes!'
Ahead of Housing and Homelessness Week, hundreds of leaders from Lewisham Citizens came together to put pressure on Lewisham’s Mayoral candidates to declare housing as an urgent issue and to work with them to improve conditions if elected.
Earlier that week, 11 headteachers from Lewisham schools signed an open letter declaring that housing was in a state of emergency: "The housing crisis in Lewisham is reaching critical levels… we cannot afford to delay action any longer. [Housing] challenges create barriers to learning such as poor attendance due to recurring illnesses, punctuality due to further travel to and from school, and tiredness due to lack of sleep, all of which contribute to academic underachievement.”
Lewisham Citizens leaders at their housing actions with placards calling for better housing and a speakerphone
“It is like mental torture going through the system,” said one of the parents at a local primary school in a group session. Others reported struggling with mental health and wellbeing as a result of their housing situation.
Young student stands with mother giving testimony at and event, speaking into microphone
Discussing the impact poor housing standards have on health, GPs in an open letter wrote: “Our clinic rooms are full of patients experiencing lung problems, mental ill health, skin complaints and safeguarding concerns due to poor housing yet we are powerless to address the root cause.”
This action follows years of campaigning by Lewisham Citizens to improve housing conditions and communication in the Borough, as well as demands for free internet for everyone in temporary accommodation.
Young students at a Lewisham Citizens housing action holding placards

Our work on housing

We all deserve to live in dignity, yet millions of people across the UK do not have access to safe, secure or affordable housing. But it doesn't have to be this way. We're bringing everyday people together with powerholders to tackle poor housing and increase affordable housing in communities up and down the UK.

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Posted by Aanisah Khan on 11 Mar, 2024

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