Housing fight goes on

Speaking to the Focus E15 mothers today as they pack up and move out of the property on the Carpenter’s estate they have occupied for the past three weeks, UNITElive was told that the occupation was only ever meant to be temporary.

“The campaign has been incredibly successful and has achieved so much like highlighting the simple solution to Newham’s housing crisis and the bigger housing crisis right across London,” said a campaign spokesperson.

“This is the beginning of the end of the housing crisis,” he added.

The group of young, single mothers claimed victory last week when Newham council dropped plans to evict them from Stratford’s Carpenter’s estate.

During their occupation of the property on the estate the only contact they had from the council was a visit from them to turn off the water and electricity supply.

Newham council had plans to demolish the estate near The Queen Elizabeth Olympics’ park to cash in on the value of the land. However 24,000 households in the borough are waiting for somewhere to live.

“The “spotlight” on Stratford must be turned into a “floodlight” on London’s housing crisis,” Said Robin Wales, Newham Mayor. “The lack of housing supply, the conservative governments barbaric benefit bashing and the private rented sector’s spiralling rents and declining standards are a triple whammy.”

The campaign doesn’t end here. Stay tuned to UNITElive for further updates on the E15 mothers.