Jordan went viral online exposing dodgy rentals. Now, he's entering politics

Jordan van den Lamb — AKA purplepingers — has gained over 200,000 followers on TikTok, where he posts about the rental market and housing crisis.

Jordan van den Lamb grew a following on social media for posting about the real estate industry. He is now running for the Victorian Senate. Source: Supplied / Jordan van den Lamb

Key Points

• Jordan van den Lamb, who is known as 'purplepingers' online, is known for criticising the real estate industry.
• He has gained over 200,000 followers on TikTok and become an activist and advocate for renters.
• He has announced he will be running for Senate in the next federal election with the Victorian Socialist Party.

Jordan van den Lamb made a name for himself by posting about dodgy rentals and the housing crisis on social media, and now he has announced he's entering politics.

In a video shared on social media, he said he would be running for the Senate in the next federal election with the Victorian Socialist Party.

He said he was entering politics in the hope of improving the rental crisis and housing crisis.

"We're seeing record banking sector profits, we're seeing record mining sector profits, we're seeing record CEO salaries," he said.

"And at the same time we're seeing the lines for food banks in our local communities be bigger than we've ever seen, we're seeing homelessness support services at their breaking point or past their breaking point.

"This is absolutely not acceptable in our society and it's because the politicians are landlords and they are benefiting from this rental crisis and this housing crisis."

Who is purplepingers?

Over the past three years, van den Lamb has gained over 200,000 followers and 4.6 million likes on TikTok under the name 'purplepingers'.

He started with videos mocking real estate agents and rental listings but has since evolved into an activist.

Now, he posts videos exposing dodgy real estate and properties that have been left vacant for extended periods, which he has encouraged people to squat in in the past.

He also regularly criticises politicians and landlords, and makes highlights homelessness and the cost of living crisis.

In his announcement video, van den Lamb claimed of the six Victorian senators up for re-election, four are either landlords or own multiple properties.

He said the other two either voted consistently against motions to discuss housing affordability, renters' rights, or "didn’t even bother to show up and vote".

"Our side doesn't have the money, but we definitely have the numbers," he said.

"At the next election, don't vote for a landlord, vote for change."