The starter gun has been fired on the Homes for Britain Relay to the Rally, as part of a nationwide call to end the housing crisis within a generation.
Batons will make their way from the North and South of the country, eventually converging in London for the Homes for Britain rally in Westminster on 17 March.
Housing association staff, residents and members of the public are walking, running, cycling and hopping aboard a Routemaster bus to complete their legs of the Relay to the Rally, stopping off in more than 50 town centres along the way. The aim is to raise awareness of the campaign and encourage local people to join Home for Britain’s call on the next government to commit to a long-term plan to end the housing crisis.
After a month of local activity, thousands of people will come together for the biggest housing rally in a generation. Taking place in the heart of Westminster, political parties will be called upon to take bold action and end the housing crisis within a generation. The Relay to the Rally starts today in Land’s End where housing associations from across the South West are setting off on a Homes for Britain-branded Routemaster bus which is making a month-long journey to Westminster.
The Homes for Britain campaign comes at a time when housing demand vastly outstrips supply with just half the 245,000 homes needed every year being built. High demand means high prices, hitting the average first-time buyer hardest with ten times the deposit required in the early 1980s.
Henry Gregg, Assistant Director of Communications and Campaigns added: “The public are realising that the housing crisis is not out of politicians’ hands. Up and down the country, the Homes for Britain Relay to the Rally will engage local people and invite them to stand alongside a united housing sector. Together we’re calling on the next government to commit to a long-term plan to end the housing crisis within a generation.
“Polling day is within arm’s reach; it’s time that we take the housing crisis from cities, towns and villages across the nation to the politicians’ front door.”
