What does South London represent for the characters in the novel, The Bricks That Built the Houses?

South London exemplifies the plight of London's blue-collar poor. South London is home to people who can barely make ends meet, people who turn to drugs and alcohol to make themselves feel more alive. Tempest's novel focuses on the positive qualities of these south London citizens, suggesting that they deserve to be able to afford to continue living in the fast-gentrifying area.