Hands Off Our Homes!
Everywhere in Europe, low income families, the unemployed, homeless people, Travellers, and middle class households have increasing difficulties accessing decent and affordable housing. Mortgages and real-estate loans, rising rents, energy, and water prices are the biggest monthly costs for most households. Austerity policies were reinstituted in many countries after the housing crisis of 2008.
Banks, elites, investors and real estate developers have become even richer, while inequalities grow. Foreclosures, forced evictions and homelessness increase through Europe as housing supply decreases and is privatized by investment funds. On the other hand, luxury apartments and office spaces are built, and stay empty. Housing has turned into a commodity.The underlying causes of these processes are being uncovered and denounced capital accumulation in our cities leading to comm odification and the financialization of housing, to the benefit of the private sector and to the detriment of cities ́ inhabitants. Cities are used to create profit. Human rights to housing and to the city are violated.
We call all European housing movements, also wider society, to raise their voices against the financialization of our cities and homes. We demand decent and affordable housing for all.
Read the manifesto ⬇