To become a member of People Before Profit please send an email to join@lpbp.org.uk The minimum subscription is £5 per year, but if you can make a regular monthly donation of £5, £10 or £20 that would really help us in our campaigning work.
To donate to our campaign fund please send a cheque made payable to Lewisham People Before Profit to 97 Armoury Road, Lewisham, SE8 4LB or by bank transfer to
When Lewisham People Before Profit was tipped off that London & Quadrant Housing Association was selling off houses at auction we decided to investigate.
We visited 34 Hazeldon Road, Crofton Park at viewing times and found two purpose built flats in need of redecoration but in generally good structural condition.
The auctioneers' catalogue showed a guide price of £275,000 to £300,000 for the whole building, not giving first time buyers the option of buying just one of the flats.
We occupied the flats on Tuesday 27th March, shortly after the last viewing had been held and have cleaned the flats thoroughly, changed the locks and had the steel security doors removed.
We have written to L & Q asking them to make the flats available to families from Lewisham's housing waiting list and are awaiting a response.
Photo shows Barbara Raymond, long-standing housing campaigner and PBP Candidate for London Assembly at Hazeldon Road.
3rd May update
London and Quadrant rejected our request saying that the flats were prohibitively expensive to refurbish. We got a quote for making both flats habitable (new central heating upstairs, fix leaky roof and uneven kitchen floor and decorate both flats) of £9,800. We even offered to fund the work ourselves, being repaid gradually from rental income.
L & Q started legal proceedings and since there was no way of winning the case, we are now awaiting eviction papers and the occupants are looking for somewhere to live.
We think this case is particularly disgraceful because we learned from the court papers that this house was only given to L & Q in October 2010 and they simply moved the councijl tenants out, did a bit of underpinning at the back and proceeded to market it at auction. We wrote to Lewisham Council asking them to intervene (as they have power to do) to prevent the sale but they have yet to show any sign of wishing to play any role in this matter.
Occupied houses - update
Our first family moves in...
Monday 5th March
20,000 leaflets explaining our occupation were distributed all over the borough of Lewisham in the 10 days leading up to the council meeting on 29th February. We heard from several families who wanted to move into the house in Angus Street (see below) and the council failed to nominate anyone from among the families in temporary accommodation, so we have agreed with a family of two parents and three young children that they can move into the house. Of course we have explained that it is possible that they will be evicted if the council chooses to apply for a court order for repossession.
We'd like to thank Tina and Lloyd for the kind donation of a gas hob and extractor hood which have been installed - the electric oven is now at 81 Etta Street enabling our occupiers there to cook a wider range of meals.
BBC London News covered the story fully on Friday 2nd March at 1.30pm and rather briefly at 6.30pm. Radio London Drive Time did a live interview with John Hamilton at the Angust St house.
The People Before Profit monthly meeting in March heard a presentation from SocioCapita Community Interest Company who would like to work jointly with Phases to refurbish the other houses on behalf of the council, using local workers and involving training of people who ned to learn skills and gain qualifications. If we like the proposal we will make a joint approach to the council offering this solution.
Council refuses to talk
Friday 24th February
Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Housing, has refused to meet us to discuss the future of the occupied houses. Meanwhile we are installing a bathroom at 7 Angus St and will be inviting the press in on Monday. Do you know a family on the housing list that would like to move into a
3 bedroom family house in New Cross
overlooking Fordham Park and 5 minutes walk from New Cross or New Cross Gate stations? Reasonable rent, to be negotiated, but not more than 30% of full-time wage. Available from Tuesday 28th February. Viewing Saturday and Sunday or by appointment at other times - please text 07806 545 279 or email
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Progress in housing campaign:
Monday 20th February
Since blocking the sale of 5 family homes on Monday 13th Feb 2012, we have been active in making the houses comfortable to live in while we negotiate with the council about who will refurbish them to standards where they can be rented out to families on the council waiting list.
61 Lampmead Road was the untidiest of the houses and it has suffered from subsidence and settlement over the decades as have many houses in the borough of Lewisham.
We had a visit from a structural engineer yesterday and he thought that underpinning would not be necessary as the flank wall is not bulging.
Have a look at this short video and see the progress we've made.
We will be leafletting throughout the borough this week. If you can help with that, please send an email to:
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Following a mass action at Lampmead Road we have now reinstated hot water and cleared the house and garden of rubbish. There's still a bit more cleaning to do today (Sunday) so come along and help between 11am and 3pm.
Then we will have some people living in the house full time who will make further improvements, such as relaying the floor in the bathroom, then refitting the bathroom with an upstairs toilet.
81 Etta Street now has hot water, making that the first of our five houses where the occupants can have a hot bath.
7 Angus St is almost ready for a family currently being put up in expensive B&B accommodation to move into - we just need to refit the bathroom there, which was converted into a childrens toilet area when the house was used as a nursery.
Thursday 16th Feb 2012
VICTORY to People Power - 5 family homes saved as council houses following our occupation last weekend.
In a bid to stop 5 family houses being sold off at auction on 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.
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 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.
We have contacted Lewisham's Housing Department to arrange a meeting and explained our position to the borough valuer.
Our sympathies do go to those people who were interested in buying the houses and repairing them - we did report the occupation to the police on Saturday evening giving the council and the auctioneers plenty of time to withdraw them prior to the sale and saving you the time and trouble of going to the auction today. We are not opposed to people owning their own homes - but we don't agree with rented housing being reduced even further.
COME AND HELP THIS WEEKEND
at 61 Lampead Road, Lee Green, SE13 when we will be clearing the most untidy of the houses we now occupy. We already have a plumber and an electrician to make sure that the water and electricity are safely reinstated, but we need help clearing junk and replacing the French windows which are currently in the garden. 11am till 3pm, Saturday and Sunday. Lunch provided along with tea/coffee and camaraderie!
CAN YOU DONATE THE FOLLOWING:
Carpet, electric cooker, table, beds.
Would you be willing to pay for a hot water tank for Albyn Rd (£150) an electric shower for Friendly St (£66) an immersion element for Etta St (£16). We can fit these things for free to get hot and cold running water at all the houses.
To donate money please send an email to
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and use the details on the standing order form or bring cash or a cheque (made payable to Lewisham People Before Profit) to Come the Revolution Cafe for the housing fund.
We now have people in all 5 of the houses and will produce a new video showing the cleaned and occupied houses after Sunday's clearup at 61 Lampmead Road.
Here's the poster we have been distributing to explaining our actions:
Network Arts for the chop
Network Arts began 16 years ago. Over that time it has touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people with its holistic approach. It is an arts project for people living in Lewisham who have severe and enduring mental health support needs. It enables people to develop in a positive and creative way by providing supported structured activities in a safe environment.
Each member can work on outlining their goals and objectives in an action plan. Network Arts includes a mosaic workshop, screen printing group, picture framing group, creative writing group, and a creative crafts group. We also take on commissions from businesses and the public.
We are funded by South London and the Maudsley NHS Trust but they intend to close the project on 6th January 2012. We have been told that we can remain for 6 months in the Lee centre but without staff. One of our members is considering asking for a judicial review because we have not been correctly consulted with and have never officially been told that the project is closing. It is felt that the way the process has been handled is also against the Disability discrimination Act and a number of members are seeking legal advice.
Save New Cross Library video - October 2010
Read-In turns to Sit-In
National Libraries Read-In on 5th Feb
We took advantage of the read-in's at Lewisham's five threatened libraries to publicise the Carnival and gave out more than 3000 leaflets at Crofton Park, Sydenham, Grove Park, Blackheath and New Cross libraries.
People were queuing up to sign our petition against all Steve Bullock's planned cuts and demanding that he either stand up for Lewisham's residents against the onslaught from David Cameron or resign to let someone else take charge of our borough.
The read-ins were extremely well supported by hundreds of people.
The Suburban Pirates, provided the musical background from their Morris Minor pick-up.
When we got to New Cross library the Strawberry Thieves Socialist Choir got everyone singing out on the pavement before leading the readers back inside and suggesting that we occupy the Library until the following lunchtime! This ensured that Lewisham and Steve Bullock's ruthless plans to destroy part of our heritage made it to national prominence.
All the threatened libraries will be focus points for local protests on February 19th. Make sure you are there to make your voice heard!
All photos courtesty of Tony Nandi:
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Ladywell Sports Facilities up for grabs
SAVE LADYWELL ARENA
Police violence as Labour cuts budget passed
Labour votes for Cuts, Liberals abstain, only Green and Tory councillors oppose budget
Hundreds of people held a rally outside Lewisham Town Hall on Monday night (29th November) before the council meeting that would approve a budget for the coming year. The peaceful gathering heard speeches from local activists from various groups - all united in their opposition to New Labour's plans to cut jobs and services in Lewisham.
Only a dozen or so people were let in to the public gallery leading to a mass call to be let in to observe the proceedings.
The public were then shepherded out following a fire alarm and then allowed back in for a few minutes, before
Special housing activists meeting to review and plan the housing campaign. Harts Lane Studios, Harts Lane, SE14 (behind T K Maxx in New Cross)
New Cross: Mon 14th May 7.15pm:
Regular monthly meeting to discuss LPBP activity at Come the Revolution, 465 New Cross Road, opp Florence Road, SE14.
Woolwich: Tues 15th April 7.30pm
Full meeting of Greenwich PBP at Rose's Bar, 49 Hare Street, Woolwich, SE18 Regular Greenwich PBP meeting to discuss housing, election, library campaign.
Catford: Weds 23rd May 8.00-10.00pm:
Informal get-together for people interested in getting involved over a drink in the London & Rye, 109 Rushey Green, Catford SE6 4AF
Lewisham PBP Objectives
Respond to local people. We would get rid of Lewisham's all-powerful Executive Mayor
Stand up to the Con Dem government rather than meekly carrying out their cuts
Keep our money in the area. We will end all contracting-out of Council services and replace them with direct works departments. We will help locally based business.
Pay a living wage to all Council employees.
Care for the environment. We will invest in energy-saving for homes and business, flood defences, bio-diversity, re-cycling, and improved public transport.
Lewisham PBP 
Network Arts began 16 years ago. Over that time it has touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people with its holistic approach. It is an arts project for people living in Lewisham who have severe and enduring mental health support needs. It enables people to develop in a positive and creative way by providing supported structured activities in a safe environment.
