South London Schools Declare a Housing Emergency Outside City Hall

Students from the IOE, UCL’s Faculty for Education and Society, have been working in 8 placement primary and secondary schools across London, including Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth and Brent in partnership with Citizens UK. They led workshops with students to understand what the key issues impacting their lives were, and what change needed to be made.

Again and again, they heard that poor housing conditions, specifically damp, mould and disrepair, were having a detrimental impact on education. Pupils reported feeling anxious from being moved frequently in temporary accommodation and living in overcrowded spaces. Exposure to damp and mould was also impacting their health and wellbeing, leading to long term illnesses, such as severe asthma.

Teachers shared that these housing issues were having an impact on the quality of education and attainment, with pupils often missing school due to illness or falling asleep in class from waking up early to travel from other boroughs.

“Lack of privacy when having to share confined spaces with multiple people is very difficult

when young people are going through puberty. Children can be very tired in

class and sometimes fall asleep” - Member of staff at Surrey Square Primary School

“From respiratory problems caused by black mould and damp to increased stress and anxiety resulting from unsafe living conditions, the physical and mental health of our young people are at risk when they are forced to live in substandard housing” - Joint Lewisham Headteacher Open Letter

What is next?

The reports’ findings chime closely with the priority areas that Citizens’ members selected in the run up to the London and General Elections.

Community leaders from across Citizens UK identified that poor conditions in social homes and the PRS, as well as the rocketing numbers of children in Temporary Accommodation, were major issues for our members. You can find our policy asks of the new government here.

On the 23rd of July, leaders from across London Citizens met with Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing, to discuss key issues raised.

Local groups have been meeting with their MPs to progress our asks and the next step is to engage with Local Authority Leaders and MPs to continue building support for this issue.

If you want to get involved in this campaign, reach out to albinia.stanley@citizensuk.org or emilia.campos@citizensuk.org .