Our homes, our voices: Community action for better housing

Sophie Ho, Education Studies BA*

*From the 2024/2025 academic year onwards, this degree has been renamed the Education, Society and Culture BA.

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Hermit crabs, 39 UCL students, a professor, eight London schools, and a national community organising group—what connects them all? A shared commitment to community action for change. As one of the fortunate students on the Educating and Organising for Social Justice module, I had the incredible opportunity to embark on a transformative journey that fundamentally reshaped my understanding of education, social justice, and the power of collective action.

What makes the Educating and Organising for Social Justice module so unique is how seamlessly it integrates different components across two terms. Over the first ten weeks, we engaged in fascinating lectures and interactive seminars, delving into the theories and history of educating for change and community organising. This foundation laid the groundwork for the second part of the module–the community organising placement in collaboration with Citizens UK. In teams of five, we brainstormed, designed, and ran a series of workshops in specific schools, culminating in a final action. This hands-on experience allowed me to witness firsthand how theory can bridge into practice, highlighting the importance of educating oneself before educating others.

This year, the module focused on the pressing issue of the housing crisis, aligning with the London mayoral election. This is a part of Citizens UK’s national Housing and Homelessness campaign, which calls on the UK Government to make change on three key demands:

1. End child homelessness.
2. Unlock the potential for more affordable housing across the UK.
3. Publish a national home upgrade strategy to make existing homes safe, healthy and energy-sufficient. [1]

Too many Londoners live in mouldy, damp, and overcrowded homes despite rising rent prices. With at least 168,000 children in the UK living in temporary accommodation, and 1.3 million households in England on waitlists for social housing [2], it is clear that housing instability is a significant issue currently facing millions of people up and down the country. The magnitude of the housing crisis became clear as we learned about the dire conditions faced by many students we worked with, including mold, dampness, overcrowding, and the alarming number of children in temporary accommodation.

During my placement, our team had the privilege of working with 15 primary students from a school in Lewisham. Working with my team was a highlight of the module, as we navigated challenges together, witnessed the strength of our collective efforts, and realised how our personalities and ideas complemented and combined to produce something stronger. We designed engaging workshops tailored to the students’ understanding, aiming to foster empathy and creativity. One activity that stood out was the housing market simulation, in which students assumed different roles and reflected on the realities of diverse housing conditions. Running these workshops provided a firsthand perspective on the power of engaging children in discussions about social justice and empowering them to take action.

After months of collective effort and collaboration, the students on the module collaboratively produced the action report titled ‘Our Homes, Our Rights’. This report amplifies the voices and lived experiences of young people affected by the housing crisis in London, shedding light on the urgent need for change and informing policymakers of the systemic failures that perpetuate the housing crisis.

On 4 June 2024, a coalition of UCL student leaders and London schools gathered outside the Greater London Authority City Hall, with our experiences and voices in tow, to urge the Deputy Mayor for Housing, Tom Copley, to commit to take action on Citizens UK’s key housing policy demands. It was a powerful afternoon of sharing testimonies and creative segments, from hermit crab drawings to cardboard houses, all addressed to Tom Copley, asking him to advocate for London’s citizens and work towards ensuring everyone has a secure, habitable and affordable home.

However, our work doesn’t end there. We must continue to strive and fight for a more just and equitable society where everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.

Although the module has ended, I know that these values, newfound knowledge and memories will remain close to my heart, especially as I continue my education and become a primary school teacher in the future. I’ve learned so much and am incredibly excited not just for what we’ve worked towards with the housing action, but also for how I can incorporate social justice education and organising work into my future classroom. This is only just the beginning!

Finally, on behalf of everyone on the module, I would like to say a huge thank you to our professor, Stuart, for his unwavering dedication and inspiring passion throughout this module. His guidance and enthusiasm have been so instrumental in shaping our learning, growth, and experiences. We could not have done this without you!

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References

[1] Citizens UK Manifesto 2024

[2] Social housing lettings in England, tenants: April 2022 to March 2023 Updated 6 March 2024