In October 2024, over 100 HASL (Housing Action Southwark & Lambeth) members descended on Lewisham council’s housing office in a Halloween themed protest occupation over the appalling treatment of their members Maribel and Maira. In total the two families had spent almost 4 years in hostels and Maira’s 2 year old son had spent his entire life living in a hostel. The incredible turn out, with members coming from across London and even from as far as Slough, made this HASL's biggest protest occupation so far. In response to the protest, Lewisham council finally gave Maribel and her son a 2 bedroom, self-contained temporary accommodation flat close to Maribel’s mother who helps with childcare. The new temporary accommodation is a huge improvement on the previous conditions the family were enduring. HASL are growing fast and are now the largest mutual aid peer support action group in the country. Their model of using mass direct action on top of collective advice and support is getting results; people with housing issues everywhere can learn a lot from their inspiring - and fun - mobilisations.
