Newham has an unenviable record on housing. It has the highest levels of overcrowding in the country; the highest proportion of people living in insecure private rented homes; and the largest number of homeless people, including those in temporary accommodation.

Low wages in Newham and the cost of living crisis will only exacerbate these problems. Average rents now represent 65 percent of average wages in Newham, compared to 30 percent across the UK.

Newham Council’s ‘Housing Delivery Strategy’ identifies many of the acute problems in the Borough which have led to a housing waiting list of over 27,000.

The council’s five year housing strategy pledges 1000 new social rent homes by 2022 and to “embark on a massive programme to upgrade the council’s housing stock”. The Council also says it will promote housing liaising teams, walk-in hubs for residents, and support for new tenants’ associations.

While steps in this direction are to be welcomed, Newham’s housing crisis requires urgent and radical measures. The Local Government Association said a 27.2 percent increase in funding of homelessness services would be needed to maintain the current (inadequate) service level over the next three years. How does Newham’s plan measure up?

The Social Housing Action Campaign in Newham is part of a national network calling for genuine tenants’ and residents’ democracy, improved repairs and maintenance services, reduced rents and service charges, better health and safety provision, and an end to the exploitation of housing workers.

Private renters in Newham also need protection from exploitative landlords – rent caps and proper regulation to ensure decent, quality housing.

Decades of central government cuts and retrogressive housing policy has largely created the housing crisis, but there is still a lot more councils like Newham council can do.

We reject raising council tax, rent and service charges to make up for cuts in central funding. Why didn’t Newham council freeze rent during this year of rising living costs, as even Tory Wandsworth council have done?

Councils can use their powers to begin a mass building programme of eco-friendly, affordable council homes. We support a redistributive revenue raising system to finance local council services, and demand that central government restores the cuts and funding it has imposed.

Councils can use reserves and borrowing powers to avoid making cuts and to start building more homes. There are also other measures – empty properties can be acquired by the council and housing co-ops funded and supported.

Niall Mulholland is the Chair of Social Housing Action Campaign, and a housing co-op tenant in Newham

www.shaction.org

shac.action@gmail.com

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