The young people finding creative ways to escape London’s housing crisis
- Text by Advertorial
“I guess living in this space with such an affordable price means I don’t have to live on beans on toast,” explains Adelin. “I can eat the way I want.”
For Adelin, her property guardianship of an abandoned classroom in an old primary school gives her the freedom to lead the life she wants to lead. She pays peanuts to the owners so that their property is protected against vandalism and other problems that can befall empty buildings – but the downside is that she could be asked to leave with short notice.
London’s extortionate property prices are increasingly excluding young people from traditional ways of living, such as buying and renting. But, like Adelin, growing numbers are finding creative solutions to find space to call home – despite the capital’s unaffordable property market – and are seeing the benefits to less conventional living arrangements.
For Tomas, his squat is far more than just cheap housing. His palatial living space in an old church gives him the opportunity to be creative and experiment in ways that would be impossible in your average flat. His housemates’ band met their bass player there and play their music loud in the church’s grand hall.
Taking a step away from the property ladder also gives people the opportunity to reflect on why London’s housing situation is so dysfunctional in the first place. The capital is home to over twenty thousand empty properties, with a staggering 7,500 unoccupied council houses.
Squatting, property guardianships and living communally in shared spaces, such as converted warehouses or old factories, helps fill empty properties with people and open up new living opportunities.
But coming together to live in unconventional, shared spaces can also be fun, empowering and help create new creative communities. “It’s about going forces together and trying to make a change,” explains Tuttii. “We need to all communicate more, stick together and make a change.”
Find out more about the giffgaff Perspectives video series on VICE, which explores alternative, community-driven solutions to key issues affecting young people.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
The last days of St Agnes Place, London’s longest ever running squat
Off the grid — Photographer Janine Wiedel spent four years documenting the people of the Kennington squat, who for decades made a forgotten row of terraced houses a home.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The Women of the Sea Film Fund is granting £10k to tell femme-focused surfing stories
Finisterre x London Surf / Film Festival — Open exclusively to women to tell stories about other women, applications are open until March 8.
Written by: Isaac Muk
New documentary explores football ultras culture around the world
ULTRAS — Directed by Swedish filmmaker Ragnhild Ekner, the film takes an insider’s view of the terrace subculture, and the unifying power of fandom.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The vibrant pre-Taliban ski community deep in the Afghan mountains
Champions of the Golden Valley — A bittersweet documentary by Ben Sturgulewski spotlights the unlikely rise of Bamyan Ski Club, while charting what happened next for skiers forced to flee their country.
Written by: Sam Haddad
New documentary spotlights UK Right to Roam movement
OUR LAND — Directed by Orban Wallace, it asks questions about the meaning of land ownership, environmental protection and access to nature.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Uncovering the not-so-subtle queerness of Mexican rodeos
JARIPEO — A new experimental film by Rebecca Zweig and Efraín Mojica explores the looks, embraces and brushes of skin contact in which LGBTQ+ desire manifests at the traditionally hyper-masculine events.
Written by: Isaac Muk
