Ashley Road eviction resistance

by eye witness Wed Nov 12, 2008 17:55

Since they entered at 10am contractors have been trashing the inside of 87 Ashley Rd to make it inhabitable, taking out utilities and smashing it up. We know about office plans direct from People for Places rep who spoke to the people on the roof, not a bailiff. He said their plans are to make this 8 flat building in a site office in April 2009. That's another 5 months of it standing empty to add to the 4 years already, while it could be providing homes to the 15 odd people who were living there, keeping it used and useful.
People are resisting this eviction not only because they need a house but because we believe that P4P are not fit for purpose for being social landlords. People passing in the street have told us stories of months and years waiting for basic maintenance. The same rep talking to those of roof admitted that he was ignorant of St Paul's UnLtd's objections to their plans for 87 Ashley Road. He had not even read the minutes. Some in St Paul's UnLtd objected to their plans because of concerns that they did not provide enough social/affordable housing.

This morning P4P's Luke Tekouchi has put out a letter to local residents with a load of spin about how trespassers are preventing them house those in need. If this is the case why have they not done something with the building before and why are there no planning applications for them to renovate the building?

Shared ownership = sell off of social housing. P4P are more interested in making money in the short term. Tying people into 30+ years of a mortgage, (let's not forget it comes from the word meaning Death Grip) IS NOT a solution to the housing problem. Look at the ramifications of a society built on a debt bubble in the collapse of the sub prime mortgage crisis in the US. And look at the predicted figures of thousands who face repossessions in the coming financial depression in the UK.

Squatting is one way of breaking out of this dead end cycle. And the people who are taking direct action to claim their right for somewhere to live think that's better in so many ways than waiting around on a housing list.

Supporters and those on the roof intend to stay and all are welcome to come down and show support.

by Heather Wed Nov 12, 2008 19:07

Hi,
My name is Heather. I'm a journalist and I want to write a story on what is going on- can anyone who is involved in the situation contact me? My email address is Heath0183@aol.com.

by anonyMouse Wed Nov 12, 2008 19:09

The Ashley Road site will not be developed as either shared ownership or social housing. The finances do not add up for this because of the drop in property prices. When the flats are developed they will be let on an intermediate rent. This means the rent will be 20% lower than the market rent but significantly higher than normal Housing Association national formula rents It also means they won't be let to people prioritised by need through the Bristol Housing Register but instead by ability to pay.

by frankie - individual Tue Feb 17, 2009 18:14 vron18will at uwclub dot net

Whatever happened to 'Self Help' the legal short-term squat letting organisation. It used to exist and was able to completely legally take over buildings like this, I believe with the knowledge and consent of local council, to provide much needed accommodation. Does it still exist?