Ben and Ilona were evicted on February 13, 2023 and sentenced to a life on the streets, after a short and tough campaign. There was an action and presentation of demands on the sidewalk at Hof Wonen, an item of The Hague FM, and a motion by the SP and the Hague City Party to prevent homelessness. There was also a waiting list of no less than 6 weeks for the homeless shelter at that time, so after sleeping on the streets for a few weeks, Ben and Ilona squatted their empty home on the Stuwstraat again. Until they for the second time on April 12, were evicted by Hof Wonen. This time, even a judicial eviction order was missing.

After another period on the streets and on the couch with family and acquaintances, Ben and Ilona ended up in an anti-squat home on June 1, 2023. Rijswijk Living, managed by Wolf Housing Group, with the prospect of being able to stay for two years. Eventually, after 6 months, the loan agreement was terminated again. It came to a lawsuit in which Ben and Ilona were granted a 6-month extension. But on August 1, they really had to believe it again and were evicted from their home and made homeless for the third time in a year and a half.

Out of necessity they manage to get hold of a folding trailer and with a lift from an acquaintance they finally ended up at the campsite. With their last money they paid 6 weeks in advance. Those 6 weeks are now, as of September 12, again at an end. Where they can go now is still uncertain and the situation remains hopeless.

Demolition project Molenwijk

The houses on Stuwstraat are part of a demolition-new construction project by Hof Wonen. All residents were entitled to a relocation allowance and alternative housing by means of an urgent declaration. After the death of his sister, who was the main tenant at the time, Ben was no longer entitled to this. And this while the social housing had been occupied by his family since 1986. After an eviction order from the court, the eviction finally took place in February 2023, while the actual demolition would not start until December. Ultimately, in August 2024, Ben's house, which had been boarded up and made uninhabitable on the inside, was still empty and awaiting demolition. After the evictions of Ben and Ilona, no one has ever lived there again.

The motion by the SP and the Hague City Party to prevent homelessness was also to no avail. The two parties called on the council to ensure that residents of demolition areas do not become homeless if they do not qualify for rehousing. Alderman Martijn Balster issued a negative voting advice and thereby approved the eviction of Ben and Ilona. Hof Wonen also did not respond to the loud call not to condemn Ben and Ilona to a long life on the streets. The waiting list for social housing and the rules of the system appeared to be declared sacrosanct. Where Ben made room for a new tenant at the front of the list, he himself could join the back of the line as a homeless person. We ask ourselves, what are the social costs of pumping people around in a hopeless situation of housing insecurity and homelessness until the moment that homelessness is solved again? Shouldn't preventing homelessness be much more central to the policy of housing corporations and municipalities?

'The Hague gives home'

Just a few months later, in July 2023, the municipality's new policy framework for homelessness will be inaugurated. In 'The Hague gives home', alderman Marielle Vavier and Martijn Balster present a more progressive and humane homeless policy, in which on paper more emphasis is indeed placed on the prevention of homelessness. In addition, a 'Housing first' approach should make a difference, in which social shelters should make way for independent housing more quickly. This is in stark contrast to the three evictions, one and a half years of homelessness, and serious housing insecurity that Ben and Ilona still live with. They feel that they have been abandoned by the authorities and representatives who have a duty of care for the housing of vulnerable people in our city. They are becoming increasingly isolated due to this hopeless situation.

We have previously been critical of the actual implementation of this new policy framework, surrounding Jelena's case. For her, after 9 months of homelessness, the new policy finally came to fruition. After a long battle, she received an urgent declaration for social housing. The alderman and the municipality still have the opportunity, also for Ben and Ilona, to put their money where their mouth is and implement 'The Hague gives home'. Much too late, but better late than never. That is why we continue to demand of alderman Balster and Hof Wonen:

1. An unconditional halt to all evictions. Make preventing homelessness a top priority! 
2. Offer Ben and Ilona rehousing through an urgent declaration, just like the rest of the old residents in his street!

Crowdfunding

Until the municipality decides to take responsibility and provide housing for these people, their situation remains hopeless. The six weeks at the campsite are up and they have to leave again. And there is no money for a next campsite. In order to help Ben and Ilona a little in the coming months, money is being collected. In Neighborhood church De Rank the pastor collects donations with the collection box, and as BPW The Hague we are started a crowdfundingWhen the social safety net turns out to be full of holes, and social housing providers and municipalities fail to meet their duty of care, citizen initiatives and solidarity fill the gaps.

With your support we hope to raise enough money to support Ben and Ilona in their accommodation and living expenses in the coming months. A month at the campsite easily costs more than € 1000, - and they have to survive on a homeless benefit. With the target amount of € 6000, - they can look for a pitch for their trailer tent for a period of at least 6 months. If we manage to raise an amount of more than € 12,000, the possibility will arise to pay the rent of an independent home 1 year in advance in the area, and we can start looking for a more sustainable solution for their housing problem. Thank you for your support!