Campaigners have built a “house” made out of estate agent boards outside Lewisham Town Hall, Catford road, in a protest about affordable homes.

The group, People Before Profit, designed the protest to highlight the 17,000 homeless people in the borough with a large number of families living in hostels and B&Bs due to the lack of council homes.

John Hamilton from People Before Profit said: “We want all new housing to be affordable until the 600 families in temporary accommodation have a home.”

Lewisham council plans to build pop-up houses on the site of the old Ladywell Leisure Centre. This is a temporary fix to the problem, but they believe it could help in the long run. The houses would be able to be re-deployed once construction on the actual council houses begins.

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock said: “The shortage of housing is affecting families and individuals right across London. It’s an issue that many people feel strongly about, I fully recognise that and I am passionate about it myself.”

“It’s why I have made housing a top priority for the Council. This Council is working hard to improve the supply for housing to families in housing need by building at least 500 homes ourselves by 2018.”

Between 2009 and 2014, Lewisham Council was able to secure the building of 1,869 affordable homes.

The Mayor of Lewisham has heard People Before Profit’s complaints and said: “These are very tangible examples that prove just how committed we are to delivering the housing we need.”

There will be a rally consisting of local housing activists on January 31 from 10.45am – 11.30am at Lewisham Town Hall.

Video by: Foladele Falana, Hannah Calder and Veronica Handeland