Sweets Way High Court Bailiff Eviction (Barnet Housing Action Group)

Friday 13th of February, Notting Hill Housing Association Tenants (via Barnet Council) were evicted from their homes of 4-5 years, with nowhere to go….except the council office to declare themselves homeless.
153 households in the process of being evicted during Feb 2015, for the site (ex-army estate) to be redeveloped into homes that very few of us will be able to afford.

Resident on Sweets Way in his home of 4 years being readied for departure by a High Court Bailiff on Friday 13th February 2015.

Ready or not, its time to leave your home of the last 4 years, regardless you’ve been seeking alternative accommodation from the council since March 2014, regardless of your long list of ailments and disabilities, regardless that your son is studying his A levels in Stanmore, regardless your multiple health issues which require regular attendance to hospital and doctors, regardless you’ve not yet cleared your belongings…..never mind the goldfish: Luton Town, here you come…..

The whole estate is being cleared of families/residents who have been living (albeit temporarily) for the past 4-5 years in decent homes; homes which they were able to afford.
The redeveloped site will see c.300 homes of which 30 will be “affordable” – NO council housing, NO social housing – only unaffordable housing.

People have been treated without respect or dignity and as though they were worthless. Belongings are strewn across the estate, left behind in haste and with nowhere to put them.

After eviction by High Court Bailiffs, the only option for many was to declare themselves homeless at the council offices across the road. Emergency accommodation was found for some …in Luton, Waltham Forest, Edmonton, and Edgware. Inadequate, overcrowded and (as one family who returned to collect belongings said) dirty accommodation.

The school situated on the estate, I would imagine, will have a lot of empty desks when they return after half term.

In a civilised society, the 5th richest in the world, how are we allowing people to be denied the basic human right of a safe, secure place to call home; causing such disruption to peoples lives, health and well being; causing such human suffering.
What is even more tragic, is that the 153 households who are facing (or have faced) eviction in Sweets Way Whetstone this month are not alone. This situation is rapidly becoming normalised, and is occurring across London.

IT NEEDS TO STOP. WE NEED HOMES FOR ALL AND HOMES FOR NEED, NOT FOR GREED.

BAN LANDLORDS, TAX LANDLORDS, CAP RENTS, CONTROL RENTS, BUILD COUNCIL HOUSES, FILL EMPTY HOMES – DO IT NOW.

OCCUPY EVERYWHERE

xxx

LINKS:
Barnet Housing Action Group