How we can help prevent tragedies like Grenfell
Gurpreet Bola writes about economic forces at work that made the catastrophic fire at Grenfell Tower possible, and shares the Quaker responses so far.
"Action that aims merely to alleviate the worst effects of inequality is not enough. As we wrestle with the implications of our testimony to equality, Quakers feel called to act more radically to tackle the underlying causes. This calling requires spiritual struggle and real practical change."
– Meeting for Sufferings, April 2014
Housing: A Quaker concern
The fire at Grenfell Tower was a devastating reality check in 2017. The causes and effects of the tragedy have become a prism, bringing clear focus to economic inequality in the UK. In the months since it happened, I've been reflecting on the long-held Quaker concerns around housing, the economy and structural inequality. These can be found in our Principles of a just housing policy (PDF):
"A key message for Quakers is the importance of housing as a home – providing a secure, affordable place in which to thrive – not merely an individual financial investment, but vital to an inclusive and healthy society. Today, more and more people in Britain are finding it hard to get and keep a home, and the lower your income the harder this is, regardless of whether you are in paid employment."
Our spiritual concern for housing and the Meeting for Sufferings statement on government cuts to welfare (above) are the basis for the new economy project that explores what an economy based on Quaker principles could look like. These statements came at a time when, as Quakers, we were maturing our collective understanding of the economy.
The roots of inequality
Those who died in the Grenfell fire were overwhelmingly working-class, and largely from black, Asian and ethnic minority groups. Those demographics reflect the make-up of social housing beyond Grenfell too. Social geographer Danny Dorling points out that "the majority of children who live above the fourth floor of a housing block, in England, are black or Asian".
Why is this fact about the fourth floor important? Upper floors of high-rise buildings are the least desirable – and Grenfell shows us why this is. The likelihood of being assigned a home in these floors increases for BAME (black and minority ethnic) applicants. When you look at housing as a form of allocating well-being, the racialised nature of inequality becomes clearer.
Our existing economy, neoliberal capitalism, thrives on inequality. Neoliberal capitalism can be recognised through:
- Deregulation – based on the idea that governments must remain small to allow the market to flourish. Cutting 'red tape' and unenforced housing regulations have had fatal consequences for social housing residents.
- Privatisation – In 1979, 42 per cent of British people lived in government housing. Today that figure is down to 8 per cent due to privatising housing in the 1980s. Local authorities are no longer set up to be landlords; Grenfell Tower was run at an arms-length by a 'tenant management organisation' that featured no community representatives.
- Austerity – the story of austerity was used to justify underfunding local authorities, making it near impossible for them to service their communities.
To learn more about the nature of neoliberal capitalism and alternatives to it, check out Building the new economy (PDF), the final publication in the new economy booklet series.
Radical action
All social housing tenants across the UK deserve to live in a society where their right to secure and affordable housing is respected. Quakers have been called to act more radically on structural inequality, in a way that embodies spiritual struggle and practical change. Here is how we can do this.
Monthly meeting for worship
Quakers hold a meeting for worship before joining the monthly silent march in solidarity with Grenfell residents. Image: BYM
On the 14th of each month, the residents and allies of Grenfell Tower walk silently through Kensington. A small group of London Quakers have been attending these marches since September, beginning with a silent meeting for worship. The silent march offers a connection with a Quaker spiritual practice, and that allows us to share in the pain and struggle for justice that is led by the community.
Read grassroots media
Residents and community around Grenfell Tower decided to develop their own media platform. Follow Grenfell speaks on Facebook to support the residents and find out about upcoming actions.
Deepen your understanding
Read the Quaker just housing policy and explore the new economy booklet series to better understand our current economic model. If you are interested in joining our reading group initiative around this work, email us at neweconomy@quaker.org.uk.
Find initiatives
London is not the only place where people are active on housing inequality. There are a multitude of campaign groups working on it, from Radical Housing Network to local groups like the Church Housing Action Team. Search online and see what's happening in your area!
