244 South London Citizens delegates launch London Housing Campaign for London Mayoral Elections

On Wednesday 18th November, over 240 civil society leaders from across South London Citizens gathered to launch a Housing campaign, calling on the next Mayor of London to support and implement a London Living Rent, Rogue Landlord Taskforce and Good Homes Charter. These solutions were identified after a listening campaign reaching thousands of Londoners through member institutions.

The chapter agreed to bring 2240 people to the Mayoral Accountability Assembly on Thursday 28th April 2016 at the Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to ask the next Mayor of London for commitments on this asks. There was also commitment to translate this vision through local actions including community walks, and meetings with local decision-makers regarding specific development sites.

Mark Rose from William Booth College, Southwark Citizens, and member of the London Citizens Mayoral Team, said:

"Following the attacks in Paris last weekend some sections of the media have set about labeling and dividing our communities. On Wednesday, we put aside our differences and focused on our common good, celebrating our different traditions and most importantly our common humanity as "Citizens". For me the evening was emotionally charged; with excitement at the numbers and diversity, compassion and anger on hearing the stories of those affected by the housing crisis and empowerment as we totaled the numbers of pledges to attend the Mayoral Assembly in April next year. I'm ecstatic that over 2000 South London Citizens will be descending on the Copper Box arena to hold the next mayor accountable."

Thomas Alberti from Ravensbourne College, Greenwich Citizens, said:

"I'm proud to help launch the London Living Rent campaign for South London Citizens, along with the asks for a Rogue Landlord Task-force and Good Homes Charter. My own experiences renting privately means I know why this is so important. This was my first Citizens Assembly, and it was amazing to see so many people who feel the same way I do about the London Housing crisis."