Project BuurToren: Collective Action for Housing and Solidarity

“BuurToren consists of a large group of committed volunteers, including neighbors and established institutions, who work together to create an inclusive place for people in a vulnerable position. Based on the belief that everyone has the right to dignity, warmth and a place to catch their breath, we offer an accessible and safe environment to people who have fallen through the system.

BuurToren was founded after the protest against the abolition of the Bed-Bath-Bread scheme (later LVV). This scheme provided temporary and humane shelter for people without papers in Rotterdam. This is a government task, because it is an obligation for the government based on fundamental human rights. But that government is now withdrawing.

We are committed Rotterdammers who are now taking matters into our own hands and are not going to wait for the government to do something for the people who have been made vulnerable.

Our wish is to eventually house homeless people, people without a residence permit and others who are temporarily without a roof over their heads. We do not only want to offer them coffee, soup or a hot meal, but especially attention, humanity and the space to relax. We find it unbelievable and incomprehensible that there are currently 17,000 empty buildings in Rotterdam while people are dying on the streets. We find this unacceptable. That is why our collective action is not only responsible but even a moral duty. So we are not doing this for ourselves, but for others. The BuurToren project started at the end of 2024 and has carefully considered all the pros and cons.” – Neighbourhood Tower

A beautiful city is a city of solidarity

Their public statement provides a crystal clear analysis: 

• Scapegoat politics is not policingk: Stopping the bed-bath-bread scheme (later LVV) is not a migration policy, it solves nothing and only leads to increasing homelessness, hopelessness and frustration, because no one will take the next step from the streets.
• Ending homelessness must be the focus: Threatening homelessness and the housing crisis are some of the greatest challenges of the times we live in today.
• No one is illegal: every Rotterdam resident has not only the right to shelter but also to a dignified existence as part of fundamental human rights.
• Time for collective action: When the municipality no longer listens to us and an extreme right-wing cabinet completely thwarts us, it is time to roll up our sleeves again! That characterizes Rotterdam.

All this has resulted in what is now known as BuurToren – collective action to claim the right to adequate housing:

“What a beautiful city we live in, you would wish that for everyone, wouldn’t you? Unfortunately, many Rotterdammers don’t have a home. They sleep on friends’ couches, in their cars or even in the park. To do something about that, we have put the vacant building in Oud Charlois back into use.” – Neighbourhood Tower

The condition of the building

BuurToren reports that BRQ2 Vastgoed BV is focusing on the claim that it has been working on the renovation and conversion of the building for some time. 

According to BuurToren, the building was empty and there was no sign of ongoing renovation. Instead, there were piles of demolition material everywhere, damaged water pipes, cut electricity cables, which mainly makes for an unliveable situation. There is even a fire hazard, because the meter cupboard was so neglected while the power was apparently always on. They have now solved that danger.

With the help of many neighbors and many sympathizers they have succeeded in cleaning and renovating the building from the inside. All three floors have been worked on to make it liveable, safe and clean again and with results. The ground floor is already open to the neighborhood with a small kitchen, tables and a living room that is already used for meetings.

According to an active resident, they have filed multiple reports with Customer Service Building & Housing Supervision stating that the building has been empty for years and that they are seriously concerned about the condition of the building. Another resident said that the building has been empty for 18 years.

Residents are positive about it

In order to prepare for the hearing, BuurToren activists have recently been visiting the neighbors. They were asked to submit a statement of support about the project and what is happening with the building now.

They also believe that our collective action went well and that the vast majority of residents are positive about it, with 12 witness statements supporting the case. There is talk of a valuable addition to the neighbourhood and relief that the building will once again have a good function.

“The building had been empty for a long time and no activity took place there. Now BuurToren is a place where neighbors can come together and work on a more beautiful Rotterdam for everyone” – Milo, neighbor's testimony

Call for solidarity

Come to the solidarity demonstration on July 2 at 09:30 on Wilhelminaplein. Together we will make our struggle visible for a just housing future for all Rotterdammers. Show solidarity, be there!

• Time: 09:30
• Date: Wednesday July 2nd
• Location: Wilhelminaplein 125, 3072AK in Rotterdam

For more information follow https://buurtoren.noblogs.org

Would you like to help as a volunteer? Please send an email to buurtoren@riseup.net

Not yet a member, but do you also want to support the fight for housing security?

Become a member now from the Precarious Housing Association!