In residence without invitation - One man’s campaign against homelessness in the capital
Wednesday,16 September 2009 by dan.morton
Since early July a man has been occupying part of our university’s estate, which has been unused for several years. Though he says he did not start out with the intention of doing so, he has been occupying the building since that time and conducting a campaign against what he sees as the injustice of leaving the buildings empty while there is shortage of social housing in London.
It is not necessarily the case that London South Bank University (LSBU) has left the space (a row of listed Georgian terraces) fallow on purpose. A little research informed us that the university have had several plans thwarted to use the land for part community use. LSBU have said they are consulting on the long-term future of the site and we are waiting to speak with the Vice-Chancellor on the matter. Nonetheless, the tribulations of the planning system and institutional strategy should not negate public consternation that a space be unoccupied for so long when it could be put to use; strategies and systems can conspire to create situations which defy what everyone wants. As David (the occupier) suggests, if the space could be made structurally sound it might have had a short term use to provide shelter for some of London’s street homeless, a community and arts centre or an interface for the community and the university.
With an open mind we went along to speak to David. We hope to take his words directly to students for them to make up their minds about the legitimacy of his campaign and the actions of the local community that have supported him in his campaign. Hopefully other students involved in the People & Planet network can reflect upon the value of contributing to community campaigns where they see common ground - homelessness is just one such issue.
Q: Can you tell us how you got here?
A: I was coaching people who are alcohol and drug dependent before I came here. It is very difficult mentally to withdraw from an addiction and doing that on the street is even tougher. Previously I was by St. John’s Church, and we heard that this building was open. When we came into to use this space it was open - this was about 8 weeks ago – we had no intention of squatting the place. We were using it only for treatment of disconnected and dependent adults. After about two weeks the University got wind of our presence and sent the police and security round. At first the relationship with the University was reasonable, but it has deteriorated since then. At no point was any criminal act performed in entering these premises, as testified by police.
Q: What are you trying to achieve?
A: Now I am using this space as an advertising platform, but I am trying to get this building to be used permanently by bringing it further into the public conscious. Many people I have spoken to from the window [David says he has not left the building since he first occupied 8 weeks ago] feel that they could use this space for community use. I think the boards outside the terraces [printed hoardings] give people the false impression that there is building work going on inside. They could give up this space freely to a housing association or trust as a confirmation of social responsibility.
Q: What would you say to LSBU students who are curious about your campaign?
A: I travel extensively and try to act in the common interest, and in my opinion there is a danger of a further disconnect between the University and the community. I would ask students to come up with ideas of how to bring the University and community together. There has been a loss of social housing in the area, and the university could be more active in promoting solutions and ideas of inclusion.
Q: What do you want from the University itself?
A: I would like to see a ‘School of Higher Learning’ actively engaged in social issues in a depressed areas – a serious plan for what is going to happen to this land, not flannel about what they might do in the future.
Q: What do you think of a short term community use of the space if the University only has long term plans?
A: I think we are in tune over this! I am interested in community development alongside the development of academic institutions, not in isolation. We are all in this together. Education is key to sustainable communities, as much as good housing and facilities.
Photographs used by permission of Jonathan Dodds.
Tags: Homelessness, Occupation, Social housing, University
October 6th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Really interesting post, thanks. This is a unique situation because of hte university ownership, but I thought you’d be interested to know about a campaigning organisation called Empty Homes. A few years back they ran a successful campaign to pass legislation saying that empty private properties can be taken over by local authorities in London - pretty radical and exciting! You should be able to find out more on their website.