FIVE THOUSAND people in temporary accommodation!

ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED council properties lying empty in Edinburgh.

SIX HUNDRED of these vacant properties are concentrated within the Lochend/Craigentinny/Restalrig community itself.

Last month, our affiliates at ACORN Birmingham demonstrated solidarity as we stood alongside our two members, Hetal and Tejas. They currently reside in a city center building and have recently received Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices. Subsequently, it was revealed that the entire building was slated for sale, necessitating the eviction of all tenants in the process.

We recognise the urgency and legitimacy of climate change, and the importance of human action and systemic change in building a sustainable future. As a union, we commit to fight for the provision of high quality, green and affordable housing for all and to fight for climate justice across our campaigns. 

Residents living near the sugarcane plantations of the Somdiaa group, a subsidiary of the French giant Castel, fell victim to the destruction of their crops during the month of May 2023. In response to this incident, and despite a written communication, there was no substantial reaction observed from Sosucam.

Following a call from the local branch Onestensemble Bepanda Bonewonda in July 2023, the Mayor of the city swiftly responded to concerns about the large open drains that pose a real danger to pedestrian safety along Republic Boulevard.

It is a pretty reasonable statement to make in the context of a housing
shortage, but we need to discuss what is wrong with it.

I have been involved in tenant organizations in Ireland since 2017. The main work I have done is knocking at people’s doors and asking how their housing situation is and what they think we could do together to change it. Being Brazilian and a woman I rarely get racist or sexist statements at the doors, which could be anticipated.

Peoples Commission and Public Enquiry committee and Hawkers Joint Action Committee jointly organized the third public hearing in Delhi. Today’s People’s Commission: Jyoti Laxmi (of Satat Sampad, many years of work with hawkers), Arun Mohan (film maker associated with Media Collective), Dr Seema Mathur (Ambedkarvadi Lekhak Sangh and professor at DU), Dr. Avinash Kumar (former Amnesty India Director and human rights writer), Rajendra Ravi (socialist thinker and activist associated with NAPM and People’s Resource Center)

NO MORE RENOVICTIONS: ORGANIZING WORKS!
A MASSIVE victory was won by ACORN members living in Manor Village, an affordable rental townhouse community in Nepean. After over two and a half years of tenant meetings, rallies, demonstrations, reports, press coverage, deputations, petitions, and lot’s of direct action, the Manor Village ACORN Tenants Union was able to force Smart Living Properties to withdraw their N13 evictions, allowing tenants to rightfully stay put within their affordable homes!

In a heartwarming turn of events, the 5th district town hall of Douala has heeded the calls of its residents, bringing hope and relief to the communities of Makepe 1 Missoke and Bepanda Yonyong. The tale begins with a critical bridge that stood as a lifeline between Makepe I Missoke and Bepanda, a connection that was shattered by the fury of intense rains in February 2020. The aftermath left the residents stranded, their mobility and belongings compromised. United under the banner of the “OnEstEnsemble” association, the locals embarked on a mission to restore this vital link.

Angus, a member of Living Rent Glasgow, faced an alarming situation when his flatmate moved out, and the letting agent informed him of a staggering rent increase. Angus was told that his monthly rent of £750 would shoot up to £995, an exorbitant increase of over 30%. The ultimatum was clear – agree to the hike or be forced to move out. In joint tenancies like Angus’, when one person leaves, it initiates a new tenancy, providing landlords with the opportunity to raise the rent significantly.