Government promise: 0 homeless people in 2030

The Dutch government wants to eradicate homelessness by 2030. This is signed in the European Lisbon Declaration. So far without success: “The National Action Plan for Homelessness has been in existence for two years now, but the number of homeless people continues to rise,” says Nathalie van Schagen of Homelessness Beyond!. “Young people, families, workers – more and more people are living without certainty about their place of residence.” 

Decentralized action on October 10: #HeBeginsWithARoof

“This housing crisis is a result of deliberate policy. We demand housing security for everyone! That is why urgent action is needed now to prevent and tackle homelessness. The Dutch government must take steps: tackle vacancy, guarantee affordable public housing, and prevent evictions. Otherwise, they will have us on their roof,” says Abel Heijkamp (Bond Precaire Woonvormen).

“A roof is the basis of a safe existence, but many people in Eindhoven do not have that certainty. With the living room without a roof, we want to show what happens when people miss that basis – and why housing security is a human right.” says Refugees in Trouble Eindhoven. That is why we are asking for attention for the position of people without a home in Eindhoven, including many refugees. 

Living room without roof

On October 10 between 12:30 and 16:00, for the residential and working community Emmaus Eindhoven (Genneperweg 11) we will respond to the national call for action from Homelessness Over! and SamenThuis2030 to set up a lifelike living room on the street. In the open living room without a roof, we ask attention for the situation of homeless people, and we enter into a conversation with passers-by about housing security. On a large tablecloth, they can write a message that emphasizes the essence of 'home' and the importance of widely accessible public housing. By creating these 'living rooms' throughout the country, we make the problem visible to politicians to take action now.

Program

12:30 Opening, introduction by Marta Resink (Omslag) about the Kloosterhof van Gestel. Short speech by Refugees in Trouble and Bond Precaire Woonvormen, possibly speeches by other participating organizations.

1:00 PM Lunch/potluck (soup, bread, porridge), everyone is welcome to bring something to share!

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Living Room without a Roof

16:00 End.

This local action is supported by:

Experience that State Eindhoven, The Living Room for Refugees Eindhoven, University Rebellion TU/e and Eindhoven Students for Palestine.

Press release: