Posted 12.10.12
More than 80 clergy and church representatives came together to attack the deepening crisis of affordable housing in London.
The platform for action was an emergency meeting - The Housing Crisis in London: mobilising the church - on Wednesday 10th October, which was World Homeless Day.
The event was organised by Housing Justice, the London Churches Group for Social Action and the Joint Public Issues Team. It brought together church leaders of all denominations, poverty and justice experts and activists, and Christians working in housing and homelessness.
Terry Drummond, of the London Churches Group for Social Action and Chair of the event said:
"We are joining together because the shortage of affordable housing in London is now at crisis point, and because it impacts most heavily on the poorest in society.
"The underlying causes must be addressed, and responses found in both practical and policy terms."
Policy responses were identified through plenary speakers and workshops. Contributors included Kate Barker CBE, author of The Barker Review, who spoke on Financial Policy, and Professor Steve Wilcox of York University Centre for Housing Policy, talking on Housing Supply.
There was a strong emphasis on the deepening poverty faced by struggling families, led by Paul Morrison of the Methodist/Joint Public Issues Team. Alison Gelder of Housing Justice set out the arguments for Fair Rents as an alternative to Benefits Caps.
As well as identifying the problems the meeting put forward practical solutions to which the churches nationally will be encouraged to sign up.
