Tenants reps from across Britain joined Councillors, trade unions and Defend Council Housing campaigners for the launch of a new Inquiry into what Council Housing needs.  

The Inquiry by the All-Party Council Housing Group of MPs (APPG), is inviting evidence from all who live and work or represent council housing, or wish they did.  Greater Manchester Tenants Union volunteered to host a follow up session, along with others, and the Unison trade union is giving national support. The Local Government Association is circulating the call for evidence too.

Defend Council Housing and Homes for All agreed to team up to call for a Five Point Plan to provide concrete proposals to help solve the housing crisis.

Read the Interim Report with contributions from: Prof Danny Dorling, Oxford; Dr Richard Goulding, Univ of Sheffield; Dr Neil Gray, Glasgow; Dr Stuart Hodkinson, Univ of Leeds, Dr Joe Penny, Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, UCL; Dr Glyn Robbins, London; Prof Stewart Smyth, University College Cork; Prof Paul Watt, LSE

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Council Housing Council Housing: Time to Invest (now, more than ever) – what we know

Invitation to give evidence from Matt Western MP

More info from Jamie.Sweeney@parliament.uk or info@defendcouncilhousing.org.uk

Around 100 people marched in Southwark and people took part in demonstrations and protests in different locations as part of the Housing Day of Action called by Housing Rebellion, bringing together demands for safe affordable housing and action on the climate catastrophe. The main slogan was Housing for need not greed, and campaigners talked about the need for refurbishment not demolition, safe homes for all and saving our green spaces.

Short video of Southwark demo here

Short video of Abbey Wood protest here

More details of actions from Housing Rebellion

In the news…

South London Press covered Southwark protest

BBC London covered Islington protest

My London covered Wandsworth protest

Morning Star covered Abbey Wood (Bexley) protest and occupation

Inside Housing covered Abbey Wood (Bexley) protest and occupation