Every year on October 10, worldwide attention is drawn to the fight against homelessness with World Homeless Day. The Precarious Housing Association (BPW) has also been committed to combating homelessness for years through direct action, preventing evictions and claiming housing rights for precarious residents. The government has the ambition to completely eradicate homelessness by 2030, 

but in practice we see virtually no concrete action or policy change associated with this and the number of homeless people is still steadily increasing. In this article we provide an update on some developments and actions surrounding homelessness in which BPW is involved and we call on people to participate in the march against homelessness in The Hague on October 10.

On July 7, the municipality of The Hague launched the new “policy framework for tackling homelessness”, under the buzzing title “The Hague gives home”. The plan is full of beautiful words about social security, tailor-made solutions that transcend legislation and regulations and prevention of homelessness as the most important pillar. Less than two months later, one of the first practical examples presented itself, which immediately made it possible to test whether the policy on paper is more than a pipe dream or a shame. Flex tenant Jelena was already in danger of becoming homeless at the end of August and a month later the threat is still there.

On August 25 we gathered in front of the city hall of The Hague for Jelena. She becomes homeless because the municipality wrongly stopped her benefits, meaning she could no longer pay the rent. BPW The Hague took action and organized a well-attended solidarity action where we wanted to make our demands for housing and social security clear to Alderman Vavier and Alderman Balster. A lot has happened in the meantime. We will update you on Jelena's situation, whether our demands have already been met and what else we have done to put pressure on the councilors involved.

On Saturday 9 September, the Bond Precaire Woonvorms (BPW) is organizing a General Members' Meeting in Groningen from 13:00 to 15:00. In addition to the ALV in June, we elect a new treasurer and chairman at this meeting, we assess the annual accounts and members and various working groups can exchange ideas. After the meeting there is room to talk while enjoying a drink and snacks.

For eleven years, Jelena has been wandering from a sublet room, to anti-squat houses and back to her old sublet address. In between, she tries to build a good life, despite high medical costs and long-term treatment with a psychologist (PsyQ) for PTSD. But: that good permanent living space, it just won't come. 

​​​​​​​The Hague 12/04/23 — Barely three months after Hof Wonen arose from the shards of Vestia, the brand new foundation sinks to a new low point and proceeds to illegal eviction.

Ben was made homeless by Hof Wonen on February 13 after an eviction. Because he had not followed the correct legal paths to take over the lease after the death of his sister, he had to be evicted from the house that had been in the family since 1986 by the police and bailiff. BPW The Hague took action to protect his right of residence together with Ben. Ben told his story at The Hague FM, questions were asked and on February 10 there was a solidarity action with handover of demands at the Hof Wonen head office in The Hague. Nevertheless, Hof Wonen decided to evict after broad social and political support, and Ben and his girlfriend have been homeless ever since.

BPW The Hague will take to the streets in South West during the International Housing Action Week to hand out flyers against anti-squatting, temporary rental contracts and housing insecurity. Join and fight for housing security! We will start on 29 March at 19:30 atruimzicht and then spread over the Dreven en Gaarden & Bouwlust and Vredelust districts, where a number of clusters of demolition buildings are inhabited by anti-squat and temporary residents. 

Today a group of BPW'ers, sympathizers, council members and solidarity organizations were present at Hof Wonen to convey the demands against the intended eviction on Monday 13 February, together with Ben and his daughter.

Ben (54) from The Hague threatens to be evicted from his house on February 13 by Hof Wonen (Vestia). He lived with his terminally ill twin sister, Hellen, whom he cared for 24 hours a day until she recently passed away from cancer. After the death, he hoped to be allowed to stay in the house where his parents moved to in 1986.