Made in London: the TikTok star taking on poor social housing | Made in Britain

Summary

This video transcript follows Kwajo Tweneboa, a social housing campaigner, as he exposes the dire living conditions in London’s social housing, particularly focusing on mould, damp, and neglect by housing authorities. Through personal stories and interviews, Kwajo highlights the impact of poor housing on tenants' health and well-being, especially children, and the lack of accountability from councils. Using social media, Kwajo has brought attention to these issues, leading to political changes and increased public awareness, while emphasizing the ongoing fight for better living conditions.

Takeaways

• 🏠 Kwajo Tweneboa is a social housing resident who has been campaigning for better living conditions and repairs in Wandsworth, London.
• 📈 Kwajo started by sharing his personal struggles with housing disrepair on social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok, which eventually went viral.
• 📹 He has since partnered with The Guardian to create longer videos that highlight the issues faced by tenants in social housing.
• 🌐 Kwajo's online advocacy has reached millions of viewers, raising awareness about the poor conditions in social housing and the health issues caused by damp and mould.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tenants like Latesha are living with severe damp and mould issues, which have caused health problems for their children, including asthma and eczema.
• 🤒 Medical professionals have confirmed that the damp conditions are exacerbating health issues for the children living in these homes.
• 📈 Kwajo's efforts have led to increased attention on housing disrepair, with national news coverage and engagement from political figures.
• 🏛️ The script highlights the history of neglect and disrepair in social housing, with some issues dating back decades.
• 👥 Kwajo's campaign has inspired a community movement, with residents coming together to demand better living conditions.
• 🏢 The script exposes the lack of accountability from housing providers and councils, who often blame tenants for the disrepair rather than addressing the underlying issues.
• 🌐 The power of social media is underscored as an essential tool for amplifying the voices of those in social housing and driving change.

Q & A

Who is Kwajo and what is his mission?

Kwajo is a resident of social housing who campaigns for better living conditions and repairs. He uses social media, like Twitter and TikTok, to expose disrepair and issues like damp and mold in social housing.

What health issues are the children in the house suffering from?

The children are suffering from asthma and eczema, with one child being hospitalized due to respiratory infections caused by the mold and damp conditions in the home.

How has the housing authority responded to complaints about disrepair?

The housing authority has repeatedly ignored the complaints, providing only temporary fixes like mold washes. They blamed the tenant for overcrowding and did not take meaningful action, despite medical professionals’ concerns.

What role does video and social media play in Kwajo's activism?

Video and social media are central to Kwajo's activism. He posts videos of disrepair and poor housing conditions online, which have gained widespread attention, forcing housing providers to respond. His videos have reached millions of viewers.

What actions has Kwajo taken beyond posting on social media?

Kwajo has visited over 550 homes in his estate, documenting the disrepair and engaging with tenants facing similar issues. He has also linked up with journalists and other activists to bring more attention to housing problems.

How has the local council responded to Kwajo’s activism?

After Kwajo’s activism gained traction, the council faced public scrutiny. The leader of Wandsworth Council was ousted, and the council switched from Conservative to Labour. However, the issues with housing disrepair remain.

What are the long-term effects of living in damp, moldy housing?

Living in such conditions can exacerbate health problems, especially respiratory issues like asthma, and skin conditions like eczema. Long-term exposure to damp and mold can lead to more serious, chronic health problems.

What was the reaction when Latesha shared her story online?

Latesha received many unhelpful comments suggesting she simply open windows or clean the mold, which frustrated her as she had already tried these measures without success.

What historical context is provided in the video about housing issues?

The video includes footage from 40 years ago, showing that the same housing issues, such as damp and mold, were present back then. The same excuses, like blaming tenants’ lifestyles, were being used by housing authorities.

What does Kwajo hope to achieve with his activism?

Kwajo hopes to bring lasting change to social housing conditions, ensuring that tenants have safe, livable homes. He aims to hold housing providers accountable and give tenants a voice through his advocacy and use of social media.