Outrage as Housing Association Sells Social Homes in Camberwell for £325k Each
Fury has erupted over a housing association's decision to sell two empty social housing flats in South London for £325,000 each, sparking intense debate about the loss of affordable homes during a severe housing crisis. The one-bedroom properties, located at Evelina Mansions on New Church Road in Camberwell, are owned by the Industrial Dwellings Society (IDS) and have been listed for private sale on Zoopla, drawing condemnation from housing activists and local residents.
Background of Evelina Mansions
Evelina Mansions is a historic building constructed in 1901, comprising 72 one and two-bedroom flats. During World War Two, its basement served as an air raid shelter, measuring 20 feet long and six feet high. IDS, established in 1885 by Jewish philanthropists to alleviate overcrowding in London's East End, now manages approximately 1,500 properties across London, Canvey Island, and Hertsmere.
Housing Association's Justification
In a letter to residents of Evelina Mansions and neighboring Leslie Prince Court on March 4, IDS explained that selling empty properties provides "the best financial return" to fund improvement plans for other homes. The association assured tenants that their own tenancies would not be directly affected, though they were offered the opportunity to purchase their current homes if desired.
An IDS spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "We fully appreciate the concerns residents have regarding the sale of the empty properties at Evelina Mansions as part of our investment planning. As a social landlord, we have to balance our legal and regulatory requirements for resident safety while also maintaining homes to a decent standard for the long term."
Criticism from Housing Activists
However, the decision has faced sharp criticism amid London's escalating housing crisis. Elizabeth Wyatt from Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth (HASL) stated: "London is facing an extreme homeless emergency. Southwark needs more social housing, not less. So it is absolutely devastating to hear that some of Southwark's precious social homes are being sold-off by a housing association."
Wyatt added: "The sell-off of social homes goes against everything that social landlords are supposed to stand for. It is unethical and immoral. We understand that IDS are saying these sell-offs are needed to maintain and repair current stock, but the safety of social tenants should never come at the expense of homeless families."
Gentrification Concerns in Camberwell
The sale is particularly contentious because Camberwell is one of London's most gentrified neighborhoods. According to 2025 research by Trust for London, Camberwell Green ranks as the sixth most gentrified area out of 53 London neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Southwark Council's social housing waiting list exceeds 21,000 households, meaning one in six households in the borough are awaiting a council home.
Tenant Fears and Practical Issues
An anonymous Evelina Mansions tenant and HASL member expressed concerns about future problems between tenants, IDS, and private landlords. They said: "As well as the most pressing issue, which is the loss of desperately needed social housing, this sell-off has other serious practical problems. If there is a leak or other disrepair issue stemming from a private flat into a social rented flat, then getting repairs resolved can be more difficult, especially if the private landlord refuses."
The tenant also highlighted fears about reporting disrepair: "From a personal perspective, this new model makes me more hesitant about reporting disrepair as now I know that any disrepair costs will be used as an excuse to sell-off our homes. With the massive disrepair crisis in social homes, introducing policies which make tenants less likely to report disrepair is the last thing that housing associations should be doing."
IDS Response and Future Plans
In response, an IDS spokesperson emphasized: "While selling a social home is a difficult decision, it allows us to balance immediate investment needs, particularly around safety and regulatory compliance, with securing our long-term future, so we can continue to provide the homes that are so desperately needed. We fully support government investment in social housing and always welcome further funding. We want to be able to create more social homes once we have addressed our current investment priorities."
The spokesperson noted that IDS already manages many mixed tenure blocks and maintains regular contact with Evelina Mansions residents. They encouraged all residents to report disrepair issues promptly, especially concerning damp and mould, assuring that such reports are taken seriously.
This controversy underscores the ongoing tension between housing associations' financial constraints and the urgent need for affordable housing in London, as communities grapple with gentrification and a deepening housing crisis.
