Lewisham People Before Profit has occupied 5 houses which Lewisham Council was planning to sell of at auction today. They say:
'In a bid to stop 5 family houses being sold off at auction today (Monday 13th February) activists entered and peacefully took control of the houses earmarked for "disposal" by Lewisham Council. All of them would be suitable for family's to rent if they were refurbished, one only needs a lick of paint and the installation of a bath or shower - someone could move in there tomorrow!
There are around 50 families in Bed & Breakfast accommodation at the moment, paid for by us, the council tax payers. A further 350 are in hostels and around 1000 families are in temporary accommodation here in the borough of Lewisham. With such a shortage of affordable homes for rent is it a disgrace that the council is considering selling off these homes, and with reserve prices way below current market levels.
The Auction catalogue can be viewed here, and the affected houses are lot numbers 41, 64, 84, 85 and 123. If the council won't live up to its responsibilities in refurbishing them Lewisham People Before Profit will consider taking on that task, employing and training unemployed young people from our borough to fit new bathrooms and kitchens where necessary. There will also be carpentry and plastering work. All the roofs are in good repair'.
The properties concerned are:
- 58 Friendly Street, SE8 (complete with an old WW2 shelter in back garden);
- Angus Street, SE8 (the ex-Deptford Green caretakers house);
- 81 Etta Street, SE8
- 128 Albyn Street, SE8
- 61 Lampmead Road, Lee Green, SE12
'In a bid to stop 5 family houses being sold off at auction today (Monday 13th February) activists entered and peacefully took control of the houses earmarked for "disposal" by Lewisham Council. All of them would be suitable for family's to rent if they were refurbished, one only needs a lick of paint and the installation of a bath or shower - someone could move in there tomorrow!
There are around 50 families in Bed & Breakfast accommodation at the moment, paid for by us, the council tax payers. A further 350 are in hostels and around 1000 families are in temporary accommodation here in the borough of Lewisham. With such a shortage of affordable homes for rent is it a disgrace that the council is considering selling off these homes, and with reserve prices way below current market levels.
The Auction catalogue can be viewed here, and the affected houses are lot numbers 41, 64, 84, 85 and 123. If the council won't live up to its responsibilities in refurbishing them Lewisham People Before Profit will consider taking on that task, employing and training unemployed young people from our borough to fit new bathrooms and kitchens where necessary. There will also be carpentry and plastering work. All the roofs are in good repair'.
The properties concerned are:
- 58 Friendly Street, SE8 (complete with an old WW2 shelter in back garden);
- Angus Street, SE8 (the ex-Deptford Green caretakers house);
- 81 Etta Street, SE8
- 128 Albyn Street, SE8
- 61 Lampmead Road, Lee Green, SE12
All Power to Lewisham People before Profit, this is a fantastic Campaign with real aims and realistic Objectives.. lets see the Country follow this lead
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