STAFF and residents from housing associations across St Helens descended on London to take part in a major housing rally last week.

They formed part of a 2,500-strong crowd of activists converged at Central Methodist Hall in Westminster to protest against successive governments’ perceived failure to address the shortage of affordable housing and to hear solutions from the main political parties.

The Homes for Britain event attracted a wide range of support from across political parties with high-profile speakers including film director Ken Loach and UKip leader, Nigel Farage, Ed Davy, Liberal Democrat secretary of state for climate change, Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion; and Grant Shapps, chairman of the Conservative Party.

Carol Matthews, chief executive at Riverside, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people from across the housing sector gathered together in one room calling for one thing: to end the housing crisis within a generation.

“It was a truly inspirational day and I’m proud to have been part of it. We’ve found our voice, now we need to keep up the momentum.”