Craig David, known for hits like 7 Days, has made a passionate plea for social housing by returning to his childhood council house. The singer grew up on the Holyrood Estate near Southampton city centre, where he lived from the age of one until his music career took off in his early 20s. In a film produced for housing charity Shelter’s campaign, David revisited the estate with his mother Tina, highlighting the importance of social housing.
Reflecting on his upbringing, David emphasized how crucial living in a social home was for him. He mentioned that it was not just a place to live but a secure and supportive environment where he felt free to be himself. The strong sense of community on the estate made a significant impact on his childhood, shaping his perspective on the importance of social housing.
During his visit to his former home, David met the current residents and shared anecdotes from his childhood and early career. He revealed that coming up with songs for his debut album, Born to Do It, while living in the area, was a pivotal moment in his music career. The experience of revisiting his old home with Shelter reinforced his belief in the transformative power of a stable and loving family environment.
Mairi MacRae, director of campaigns and policy at Shelter, expressed gratitude to David for shedding light on the life-changing impact of social housing. She emphasized the urgent need for investment in social homes to provide a secure foundation for homeless children, contrasting it with the instability many children face in temporary accommodation. The charity is advocating for the government to commit to investing in 90,000 social homes annually for the next decade to address the housing crisis. In response, a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson highlighted the government’s efforts to overhaul the housing system and increase social and affordable housebuilding to address homelessness and improve housing stability
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