Gentrification project launch: supporting access to justice in the class-based transformation of urban space
For a number of years we have been active in supporting local residents and grassroots campaigns in challenging injustice stemming from gentrification. This includes opposing the loss of secure council tenancies, challenging undemocratic exercises in estate redevelopment (including inadequate consultations and resident ballots), contesting the loss of community assets such as greenspace and demanding that the Greater London Authority create a Resident Empowerment Fund to level the playing field between residents, local authorities and private developers.
As well as bringing legal challenges based on public and planning law, we have supported residents by offering:
- legal education on key terminology and the redevelopment process
- help to draft submissions on planning applications
- media assistance
- support with crowdfunding
Our contribution aims to support local residents and campaigns to shift the power balance which is so weighted in the favour of privatisation, infill and demolition. As community lawyers, we seek to be on the ground with campaigners, offering legal services as one tool or tactic amongst others in a campaign.
We have previously supported campaigns in the Elephant and Castle regeneration in Southwark, the Carpenters Estate in Newham, Juniper Crescent in Camden and the Save Brownswell Green in Barnet. We have called for a London-wide Resident Empowerment Fund. We are currently supporting residents of the Central Hill estate in Lambeth and a number of other areas.
Now, thanks to funding secured from Tudor Trust and Trust for London we are officially launching a ‘gentrification project’ which hopes to expand on this existing work.
This project will complement PILC’s work on homelessness and housing, including legal challenges against deceitful council housing schemes, overcrowded and unsafe temporary accommodation, and harmful practices as well as reports on gatekeeping and publications on solidarity-based approaches.
Find out more information about the gentrification issues we are working on here.
How do we work with communities on these types of cases? Find out here.
Want to get in touch about gentrification issues you are facing? Please contact Alexandra Goldenberg Alexandra.Goldenberg@pilc.org.uk and Saskia O’Hara saskia.ohara@pilc.org.uk
Support PILC at London Legal Walk!
We are proud to be taking part in the 2021 London Legal Walk, organised by the London Legal Support Trust.
On Monday 18 October staff, volunteers and friends of PILC will walk ten kilometres through central London to raise money for free frontline legal advice services.
Austerity and ‘hostile environment’ policies have made life next to impossible for some of the most vulnerable people in the UK. After Brexit and Covid-19, and with judicial review under threat in 2021, supporting access to justice for marginalised communities has never been more important.
PILC has a unique role as the only UK law centre specialising in public law challenges to unfair government policies and practices. We also offer a radical voice around issues such as state surveillance, homelessness and gentrification.
Founded in 2016, we are a young organisation. We need your support as we continue to grow our dedicated team of solicitors, caseworkers & researchers.
Please help us hit our £750 fundraising by following this link and donating to our LLW appeal!
