Opposition to early eviction
In September last year, housing association DUWO informed the student community on Zuiderzeeweg that they must leave their homes six months earlier than planned, namely on June 30. This is despite the fact that the rental contracts of a large number of residents run until the end of December this year. The early date coincides with the completion of the academic year, which puts pressure on student performance.
The students resisted the early eviction with various actions. On the advice of BPW, they contacted various media and spoke to the municipal housing and public housing committee. They also obtained legal advice from the lawyer of the tenants' umbrella organization Duwoners. According to the lawyer, from a legal point of view, DUWO is not allowed to terminate the rental contracts earlier than the end date.
The strong legal position of the residents and negative publicity prompted DUWO and the municipality to take action. In a conversation with the residents at the end of December, DUWO announced that the eviction date will be postponed by at least three months. Thus, the residents' first demand was met.
DUWO has now made even more far-reaching agreements: 78 residents, for whom no end date is stated in their rental agreement, can claim rehousing and a relocation allowance.
Formation of the Baaibuurt collective
But no matter how you look at it, according to the municipality's plans, the community would eventually have to leave the site. The municipality plans to raise the island with sand and has the ambition to build 1,800 homes on Zeeburgereiland. The plans do not take into account the socio-cultural value of the student community and the artists of breeding grounds Fort Knox and One Peaceful World. To prevent this loss, they have united to form the Baaibuurt collective. The collective is working on a vision for a green, affordable and basic democratic living and working place, especially for artists in the future bay area. From December they discussed the plans at Pakhuis de Zwijger with the municipal project manager of Baaibuurt.
Breeding grounds under pressure
In addition, other large breeding grounds and free spaces are also in danger of disappearing this year, such as breeding grounds SUP and Lely, where more than a hundred artists live and work. Due to temporary rental contracts, these tenants do not have rental protection and therefore do not have the same rights as permanent tenants, such as a say in renovation plans, reimbursement of moving costs, alternative accommodation and a return guarantee. Moreover, they can be thrown out onto the street without further ado.
But here too, residents are working on plans to purchase and redevelop the buildings as a cooperative, so that they can continue to develop there and contribute to the culture in the city.
Due to temporary rental contracts, these tenants do not have rental protection and therefore do not have the same rights as permanent tenants, such as a say in renovation plans, reimbursement of moving costs, alternative accommodation and a return guarantee. Moreover, they can be thrown out onto the street without further ado.
As a result, affordable, social and creative housing and initiatives are in danger. For creative people, often with a low income, the places where they can live affordably and develop their talents are lost in the city. It is crucial that they can connect with other like-minded people and live and work communally, so that they can enrich the city with their work.
Don't leave Amsterdam to profit-hungry investors who build small, expensive and individual studios. Let creativity and local communities retain their place in the city so that they can develop.
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The Baaibuurt collective rises from the sinking fringe
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