Thousands marched in Central London for council housing and rent controls
The National Housing Demonstration in Central London on 18 April showed the potential to unite the many housing campaigns to demand real solutions to the housing and planning emergency. Saturday’s demonstration was biggest unity demo since people came together on the Kill the Housing Bill demo in 2016.
Homes for All was proud to be part of the organising, alongside the London Renters Union in the coalition under the Homes for Us banner.
The demo was backed by over 80 other tenants’ unions, trade unions and grassroots campaigns. There were five coaches from cities across the country and activists travelled from as far away as Newcastle and Portsmouth.
Supporters of Homes for All demanded a massive programme of council housing – including taking over empty homes – and the Planning Bloc organised by SHAPE Coalition demanded “Planning for People, Not for Profit”.
“I’m here today because as a mother, grandmother and working class person who’s been fortunate enough to benefit from council housing, I fear there won’t be affordable housing for future generations.” Molly, Homes for All organiser
Tanya from SHAPE Coalition urged people to attend the demonstration down the Old Kent Road on Saturday 25 April.
“We are facing a housing emergency and instead of making the planning system work for ordinary people, the Labour government and the Mayor of London are handing more power and public money to developers. The Mayor of London has just approved the giant Canada Water development – where the developer British Land reduced the amount of affordable housing from 35% to 3%. That’s what happens when politicians decide to work within the system, instead of challenging the system.”
Media round-up
Standard article Housing a basic need, not an investment vehicle – Zarah Sultana
Just Space article NATIONAL HOUSING DEMONSTRATION
Socialist Worker article National Housing Demo calls for rent controls and council housing
Politics Joe video Thousands of renters protest their landlords
