Thousands of South Londoners wait in limbo for housing reforms promised in King’s Speech

Thousands of South Londoners on housing waiting lists are in limbo as they await reforms promised in today’s King’s Speech.

There are 25,906 households on Lambeth council’s housing waiting list – the highest out of all local authorities in the capital – new data has revealed. 

The research, by property construction company Mobile Annex, shows Lewisham and Southwark in the top 10, with 9,507 and 6,929 households on their waiting lists, respectively.

Lambeth also has the second highest number of households living in “insanitary or overcrowded housing” – 15,948 – second only to Newham with 21,769.

This comes as moves to tackle the housing crisis were at the core of Sir Keir Starmer’s King’s Speech today.

As well as confirming planning reforms in a bid to build 1.5million new homes over the next five years, the Prime Minister announced a bill designed to set mandatory housing targets on councils, a ban on section 21 evictions and Awaab’s law, meaning that reports of damp must be quickly addressed by landlords.

Officials said the new targets are set to be in place by autumn.

But, those waiting on council housing lists are skeptical of the promises.

Ganiyat Adenekan-Adekoya has been living in temporary accommodation in Elderberry Grove, Lambeth, for six years.

The 41-year-old shares a two room flat with her husband and three children aged six, eight and 11.

She said: “All five of us sleep together in one bed so the children have space to play in the other room.

“My eldest children take turns using the bathroom to get changed – none of us have privacy.”

Damp and mould have spread across the properties walls and inside the family’s cupboards.

Mrs Adenekan-Adekoya said: “Our clothes smell of mould, I try and wash it away but it comes back. Mice get into cereal boxes and I have to throw food away.

“I am scared for my children’s health. They are tired – they ask me when we can leave.”

Mrs Adenekan-Adekoya says she has been bidding on Lambeth councils housing list since 2018 and has not received a single offer and said she feels “neglected” after filing numerous complaints with the local authority.

When asked about the government’s plans, Mrs Adenekan-Adekoya said: “This could help – but I don’t know if it will affect me.”

This week, a 10-year plan to boost social housing was published by 20 of the largest local authorities in England including Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. 

The five solutions proposed in the report are to establish a new Housing Revenue Accounts (HRA) model, reform unsustainable right to buy policies, remove red tape on the affordable homes programme, announce a Green and decent homes programme and fund the completion of new council homes.

Cllr Danny Adilypour, Lambeth’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Investment and New Homes, said: “The national failure to prioritise new social housing means that every night more than 4,200 homeless households in Lambeth are in expensive, but unsuitable temporary accommodation. This is both wasteful and fails to meet people’s needs.

“We are working with large social landlords to commit to working with the Government to find solutions.”

A single mother of three, Yang Yang, 38, said the council’s plans were “promising”, but questioned the authorities ability to implement them effectively.

She said: “It’s really good they are trying. People need it, we can’t keep living like this.”

Ms Yang was moved into temporary accommodation in Frensham court, Mitcham, by Lambeth council in 2020, with her sons Siddiq, 10, Adam, five, and daughter Aaima, 11.

She said: “There is so much mould. 

“Siddiq and Aaima were born prematurely and have weak lungs. Since we moved here their asthma gotten worse.

“I tell Lambeth but the property has a separate managing agency – they pass my complaints between them and nothing is solved.”

Despite the ambitious plans, Lambeth released a report this week setting out the need to save £70million by 2028, including a savings target of £29million for next year.

Cllr David Amos, Lambeth’s cabinet member for finance, said the local authority faced an “incredibly difficult challenge” in setting a balanced budget. But, he said he was “optimistic” that the new Government was committed to measures that would improve the situation for the council’s front line services.

Pictured top: Ganiyat Adenekan-Adekoya and her family in their home in Lambeth (Picture: Ganiyat Adenekan-Adekoya)