Next week, 14 June marks 72 months since 72 lives were lost in the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower: one of the greatest housing injustices this country has seen.
We’ll be marking the anniversary by honouring and thinking of the victims, bereaved and survivors of the fire, as well as all the local residents who were affected.
The anniversary is a day for reflection. It is a day to pause and remember those who lost their lives; their families, friends and neighbours. They’ll be forever in our hearts.
Remember and stand in solidarity with the bereaved, survivors and residents.
We’re encouraging everyone to get involved and show your support. Grenfell United is asking communities and activists to ‘go green 4 Grenfell’ in the week before the anniversary, and (if you can) join them on the Grenfell Silent Walk on Wednesday 14 June. It starts at Notting Hill Methodist Church at 6pm.
The community have fought so hard for so long for justice and change. Their tireless commitment and campaigning have led to the prospect of real change on the horizon in how social landlords are regulated.
No more delays: we need the Social Housing (Regulation) Act to become law.
As a result of this campaigning, in 2018 the government promised ‘a new deal’ for social housing. Four years later, the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill was introduced to parliament on 8 June last year – exactly a year ago.
When the bill had its final reading in the House of Commons on 1 March, Housing Minister Dehenna Davison acknowledged the bill had been long-awaited and paid tribute to Grenfell United, Shelter and others for ‘their steadfast campaigning on this crucial legislation’.
But six years on from the fire, parliament have still not passed the bill into law. Still, we have no justice on regulation.
We know that both the government and parliament support this legislation. So, we must now see urgent action. Parliament must act to make the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill law.
The bereaved, survivors and residents have waited far too long for change, along with social housing tenants across the country. Grenfell United has had to fight every step of the way to get this vital change in the law as a lasting legacy to those who died. As we mark another painful anniversary, they must not be kept waiting any longer.
It’s time for this fight to end with the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill becoming law.
Today and always, we stand with Grenfell United. United for justice.
