Lambeth Council Announce Their Housing Success but is it a Landmark Failure?
Complete with awkward grins and unsubstantiated claims, Lambeth Council are trumpeting their achievements:
https://twitter.com/HomesForLambeth/status/1585708038866210817
But, as seen by the replies, this is far from supported by the people on South Lambeth Estate. The incessant noise, lack of information and misinformation have led to a serious mistrust amongst remaining residents on the estate, who were initially in favour of the development, with one elderly resident even passing away.
Yet More Issues
Lambeth Council, Homes for Lambeth and their contractors have undermined members of the residents' group, cut down a whole load of trees, burst a water main, alongside the appallingly shoddy work on the entrance to Wimborne House, the building closest to the new build. Taking over a year to finish, it left wheelchair users unable to enter or leave the building for days.
Potential New Build Blues
Let us see how long it is before issues arise with the new build, which is so close to Wimborne House, who knows if the emergency services will be able to access safely?
No Additional Social Housing
Despite its false claims of 'tackl(ing) the housing crisis in our borough,' this new build is not additional housing for local single people or families. It is only to move existing residents into to continue demolishing and building back more high-end, expensive housing. Phase 2, due to start in March, is186 units, mainly be for open sale.
Look to Wandsworth
Wandsworth has shown it doesn't have to be this way. The council has announced it will only build 100% council-level rent homes. Although this is not to be confused with actual council homes, it is better than the investment properties being built by Lambeth. They have also received funding from the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, for funding to simply buy back ex-council homes, but Lambeth haven't even applied.
Petition to Apply for Funding to Buy Back Ex-Council Homes
As we know, Lambeth Council will not do anything to benefit those who need affordable housing unless they gain from it or there's an outcry from Lambeth residents.
Sign: https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=543&RPID=66061780&HPID=66061780
Georgina has set up this petition to ask Lambeth Council to apply to the GLA for funding to buy back ex-council homes, something they seem reluctant to do. Labour-run Wandsworth Council applied and now has funding to buy 50 homes.
Watch Georgina here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-29-0Qwt0Cs and if you live, work or study in Lambeth, please sign. https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=543&RPID=66061780&HPID=66061780
Tola Takes His Call for Compensation to the Council, Tuesday, 7pm, Brixton Town Hall, SW2 1RW
Tola has yet to received compensation for the significant failings of Lambeth Council. He home was flooded up to five times with raw sewage, with the council taking several days to repair. This was not an issue before demolition was announced on Central Hill Estate in south Lambeth and is being used to deliberately remove homeowners and existing tenants. The drainage used to be kept free as part of the estate's regular maintenance.
Supported by Acorn the community union, he will be speaking this Tuesday, 15th November at 7pm.
Watch Tola here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okxiGY5scDI
Join Tola at the Town Hall or watch live or after the event on this link: https://bit.ly/3N5rGAV
And Finally...
Help Defend Yacob's Family from an Unfair Compulsory Purchase Order. Support Calls For All Regeneration to be Fair, Transparent and Safe.
Yacob lives with his family on the South Acton Estate in Ealing and is challenging a Compulsory Purchase Order on his home at a local public inquiry in Ealing. Refurbish Don't Demolish will be there to support his call for a transparent, fair and safe regeneration of his estate.
Meet Wednesday 16th November, 10am, outside Victoria Hall, The Ealing Town Hall Building, New Broadway, London W5 2BY
His family are the last inhabitants of a block on the South Acton Estate. They are being forced to leave to allow for a development that is the usual story of a reduction in social homes.
He has been offered an amount that will not allow his family to continue in the area and currently lives with a broken lift to his fourth floor flat and other forms of neglect. Another family in different block has already received their eviction notice for early in the New Year.
Find out more here: https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/family-wont-council-boot-london-23318739
Come and support his challenge. Meet Wednesday 16th November, 10am, outside Victoria Hall, The Ealing Town Hall Building, New Broadway, London W5 2BY