Thursday 22 August – 5:00 pm
The right wing wants to blaim migration for the shortage of housing. Aside from the fact that only a small part of housing goes to this demographic, everyone has the right to adequate housing. Instead of falling for scapegoating tactics we should take the fight to where the real problem lies: investors, landlords and government policy. Here we see that migrants and refugees are among the most exploited people. Often landlords will assume they do not know the law and thus act illegally or discriminate against them. While many renters have precarious circumstances due to short term contracts or intimidation, this is often multiplied by the precarious circumstance of migration. Every month the Bond Precaire Woonvormen organises housing advice hours across the Netherlands where people can get informed about their housing rights and come in action. By hosting one at No Border camp we want to discuss the misconceptions around migration and housing, and also offer practical advice for supporting tenants in their struggles.
The Bond Precaire Woonvorm (BPW) is an association that fights for the right to housing and the city. We do this by standing up for the housing rights of people who live temporarily, insecurely or too expensively. Tenants increasingly have to deal with one or more of these forms of housing insecurity. Due to the growth of these precarious forms of housing, regular letting, with full rental rights and a good (social) housing stock, is coming under increasing pressure. Together with the BPW you can claim your right of residence as an individual or collective. We do this by organizing residents in solidarity networks and by offering substantive, moral, legal and organizational support.
