Housing: Let’s reclaim our right to dream again!


Amalia

Britain’s housing crisis affects many but in particular the generations after the ‘baby boomers’ of the 1950s and 60s.

According to housing charity Shelter, 59% of under-45s give up on marriage, kids or even careers because of the housing crisis. There are those who have no option but to live in a double room in shared accommodation. Housing is a factor of great financial instability- similar to how the feudal lords imposed taxation on the peasants in medieval times.

I share a flat with my partner. Our lease runs out in six months and we have no idea if we will have to move (again) if the landlord wants to sell.

In such an event, a similar property in the same area would see us a couple of hundred pounds worse off. If we stay a similar sort of rent increase is inevitable. Not much difference even if we move to a travel zone further out. In other words, we can’t really afford to dream and make plans.

An uncontrollable rent market is not viable for the majority of Londoners. Rent control on private rents is essential but also we need to start to build council homes again and provide Londoners the social housing they deserve. Councils should (they have the powers) take over long-term empty properties to meet local housing needs.

Measures like those would stop the ‘social cleansing’ of London boroughs and also make it possible again for young workers and couples to dream again.

  • Protest Against The Housing Act Saturday 18 June, 12noon Hyde Park Corner, London SW1