On Tuesday morning, May 14, the manifestation Geef Ze Een Kans (Give Them a Chance) kicked off early on the Elandsgracht. This was to send a signal to property owners to take their responsibility in a city where more and more people are being left out.
24 economically homeless people a week
.Last week it was alreadyannounced: there is a manifestation coming! This morning, in front of the Claver House on the Elandsgracht, it will start at 07:00. Twenty-four cardboard tents will be set up. These are symbolic of the twenty-four economically homeless who are added to Amsterdam every week.
Marit Postma, spokesperson for De Regenboog Groep says:
.Aversion to buying up housing, as an investment, is growing at least as fast as the shortage of affordable housing. Prince Bernard Jr, alongside Reinout Oerlemans, seems to be becoming one of the faces of this development. In addition to the anonymous action below, Quote also takes a stand: "house milking is vulgar, flat and too focused on profit".
But, rather than "talk about," we'd rather "in conversation with" these people and organizations.
So De Regenboog Groep sent a letter of invitation to the 30 largest property owners in the city. Read? Click >
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Michael Sprokkereef, program coordinator of outreach at De Regenboog Groep, explains it a little more succinctly:
Economically homeless in practice:
During the event, it will also be made very clear practically what you have to deal with the moment you become economically homeless:
What you see happening here (simply not being able to write in to a municipality) is something that has also been extensively investigated by KRO/NCRV's De Monitor with Teun van de Keuken explained.
Here are some of the rejections of some of "our" stranded economically homeless, on display at the tents.
Must read: Parool publishes this story this morning
Jan Willem Piet (59) is an entrepreneur. He has an administration office in Amsterdam. Fortunately, because that way he at least has a place to sleep... Read more
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At5 is also on hand at the Elandsgracht. They make this nice contribution about Mabel. Click on the image to watch the video.
And Brandpuntplus also unpacks with a beautiful article and this great illustration by Ylja Band
Photography and film: Ida Bartelds