Housing activists in London were celebrating yesterday as their 22-month campaign of squatting to save Lewisham’s council housing stock came to a victorious end.

Pressure group Lewisham People Before Profit began its vigil in February last year when the borough’s Labour-led council announced plans to auction off five dilapidated council houses rather than renovate them — despite some 17,000 names on the council’s waiting list.

One Angus St property became home to a migrant family with three children who had languished on the waiting list for eight years, spurring mayor Steve Bullock to announce a U-turn last May.

But a lengthy legal wrangle ensued between the council and arms-length management organisation Lewisham Homes over who would carry out the repairs.

People Before Profit’s campaigns officer John Hamilton described a bittersweet moment yesterday after finally handing over the keys to 7 Angus St. 

It has “been a bit of a wrench” for the family, he said, who are now back on the waiting list.

But the campaign had got everything it asked for, he said, with three of the houses now “virtually ready” for new tenants.

Mr Hamilton said they had feared a violent eviction after new legislation outlawed squatting in residential properties.

But the campaign had enjoyed “a good working relationship” with the council.

“I think people shouldn’t be afraid to take direct action. 

“If we had only started a petition, we know what would have happened — nothing,” he said.

A council spokesman said the squat had prevented the council “carrying out essential works.”

“We will now be able to start repairing and renovating the house so we can provide accommodation for a family that we recognise is in urgent need of a home,” he said.