A LEADING social housing activist who helps expose the poor conditions of some social housing in Britain has declined an MBE.

Kwajo Tweneboa, from Mitcham, south London, is a key activist, who has been highlighting the poor housing conditions of some tenants on social media. 

The renowned activist’s shocking online videos have gone viral over the last couple of years and some of his uploads have shown families living with cockroach infestations, damp, leaks and faeces running down walls.

In a statement shared on social media, Mr Tweneboa wrote: “I want to start by thanking whoever chose to nominate me, as I have no doubt it came from a good place.

“So much grief and suffering has happened as a result of the poor state of Housing in the UK, with the vulnerable and poorest most ignored.

“Some living in, what can only be described as slum conditions.

“On June 14, 2017, 72 innocent men, women and children, tragically – and prematurely – lost their lives in Grenfell Tower, through no fault of their own.

“A disaster that never should have happened. Since then, campaign groups like Grenfell Unity, Shelter and many others have stood side by side demanding systemic change.

“Whilst brave tenants have shared their own experiences, in order to highlight the sheer lack of progress and accountability since Grenfell, many continue to suffer…

“Therefore, I cannot accept being honoured or receiving a title off the back of an issue, which realistically, should never have existed, and in saying that, I felt compelled to turn it down.

“I have written to the Prince and Princess of Wales to inform them of my decision, and to also express my interest in collaborating with them to raise awareness surrounding the social issues causing needless suffering to minority groups across the UK.

“Finally, I would like to acknowledge the Prince of Wales’ recent work surrounding homelessness.

“It can only be positive to see meaningful change across lots of other important social issues, whilst giving a platform, an ear and a hand to help those most ignored and neglected. Thanks to all who continue to support.”

According to government statistics, Black households were over-represented in new social housing lettings.

In February last year, Mr Tweneboa told The Voice, the majority of the tenants who contact him are from the Black community, living with damp, broken ceilings and mice infestations.

Speaking at the time, he said: “The majority of the people contacting me are Black, either Black African or Black Caribbean, and some are from other ethnic minorities. 

“I’ve had loads of Black tenants tell me that they feel they are being left in the situation they are in, because of the colour of their skin.

“They have told me they feel like they are being ignored by their councils and housing associations and they are contacting me is a last resort.”

Mr Tweneboa has also experienced living in severe disrepair – while his father was terminally ill. 

In 2018, he lived with mould and damp, cockroaches and mice after moving into a housing association flat on the Eastfields Estate in Mitcham.

According to Mr Tweneboa the conditions were so bad his family couldn’t use their kitchen or bathroom and he was forced to shower at his local gym. 

In 2022, he won the prestigious Sheila McKechnie Young Campaigner Award 2022, for his tireless work exposing the squalid conditions that some social housing tenants live in across Britain.