Janine GriffithsCampaigners from East Leeds braved the cold to demand fair housing for families and ensure that autistic children are provided with adequate housing. Protesters were also campaigning for empty homes to be offered to families in need.
The action formed part of a three-day protest that began in Mandela Gardens on December 5th, moved outside McDonalds on December 6th, and concluded with an overnight sleepout outside Merrion House between 8pm and 4am. Protesters said the aim was to draw attention to housing discrimination and what they described as poor service delivery in Leeds.
The demonstration was organised by local housing campaigners and was framed as part of a wider, ongoing effort to challenge housing provision in the city. Campaigners say the issues are felt acutely in East Leeds, where many residents are living on low incomes while homes sit empty.
Among the organisers was East Leeds campaigner Chijioke Ojukwu, who said the protest was driven by grassroots concerns about discrimination and access to support.
“The 3 days of peaceful demonstration is a grassroot and community led initiative to highlight both the culture of poor service delivery at Leeds Housing Options and discrimination in the private rental sector. We are hoping that the council will listen, empathetically, to the demands and make changes.”
During the sleepout, campaigners brought sleeping bags, blankets, gloves, warm clothing and cardboard boxes, alongside placards highlighting housing inequality across Leeds. They said the visible presence outside Merrion House was intended to reflect the reality faced by families struggling to secure stable accommodation.
The protest also drew on national evidence about barriers to social housing. A recent report by homelessness charity Crisis found that people on the lowest incomes in England are being denied access to social housing because they are considered “too risky.” The report showed that a third of housing associations surveyed said affordability checks had resulted in people being refused a social home, while 71 percent cited benefit restrictions as a key reason for these decisions.
Local data compiled by housing campaigners suggests there are currently 186 empty properties in East Leeds, with homes remaining unoccupied for an average of 61 days. Campaigners say making better use of these properties could provide immediate relief for families in need.
As part of the protest, campaigners published a list of demands aimed at changing housing policy and practice in Leeds. These include calls for autistic children not to be housed in council flats, shorter and more human-centred medical assessments, community access to housing offices, and empty council homes being offered to families in need. They are also calling for greater transparency around Direct Let allocations, improved use of the Homeless Prevention Grant, and flexibility in local lettings policies for people new to the country without a local connection.
East Side Story approached Leeds City Council for comment. A spokesperson said the council is committed to supporting families and preventing homelessness.
He said: “We offer financial assistance, including rent support and cost-of-living payments, and work closely with landlords via our private rented scheme to secure suitable homes. Our re-housing programme with registered providers ensures swift access to accommodation, while strong partnerships enable early assessments and tailored support.”
The spokesperson added that residents with disabilities can apply to their local council for an assessment of need for their home. They also highlighted Disabled Facilities Grants for people living in private accommodation, which are means-tested for adults but free for children, and available at no cost to those living in council housing.
The spokesperson added: “In some cases, moving to a more suitable property may be the best option. Housing Leeds has dedicated housing officers who offer advice and support throughout this process.”
Another round of demonstrations is scheduled for later this month, beginning with a protest outside Mandela Gardens on December 19th, followed by action outside the McDonald’s on Briggate on December 20th. Campaigners say the series will conclude with a second overnight sleepout outside Merrion House on December 21st, between 8pm and 4am.
