HOMELESS FAMILIES MARCH ON DOWNING STREET

BY JAMES SMITH

Parents and children living in over crowded housing are calling for more to be done for poor families to make housing more affordable. Hundreds of families who are living in temporary housing and having no choice to overcrowd marched on downing street demanding more to be done by ministers.

Some of the groups that are leading the campaign are Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth(HASL), Haringey Housing Action Group, Focus E15 and English for Action. They all marched to Parliament Square Number 10 with many disgruntled and unhappy families.

The protesters had banners, placards and even a piñata that represented temporary housing that children took turns hitting.

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Elizabeth Wyatt, a member of HASL said:

"It's definitely one of the biggest housing protests in London for years and years and it was all led by families directly affected which I think is really important. There was so much energy and I think that's because the situation is so desperate right now the housing crisis in London feels like it's the worst it's ever been."

"We timed the protest for PMQs because we were hoping to spot Rishi or any other politicians who are directly responsible for the housing crisis that people are facing now."

"The threat of more austerity is absolutely terrifying because there is nothing left to cut. It's been intolerable and unbearable for families. We need so much investment in council housing in current stock and a radical, huge expansion of council homes. It's never been so bleak but people felt so hopeful from the protest. Part of it is about trying to create solidarity and strength even in these really hard times."

Source: Big Issue