Friday 11TH
posted by Joana Ramiro in Britain
Housing trust wants to chuck out campaign minutes from pricey street
ACTIVISTS hoping to feed the homeless this Christmas are braced for eviction at any moment as a housing trust drags them into court today.
And underlining the vast wealth disparity that caused the campaigners to set up the Camden Mothership occupation, it was revealed yesterday that the squat is just 10 minutes’ walk away from one of Britain’s most expensive streets.
The community hub was originally set up at a housing office that had been abandoned for three years but campaigners were forced out late last month.
It moved on to Church Walk in Hampstead, owned by non-profit housing trust Central & Cecil (C&C).
Daniel Gardonyi told the Star C&C wanted “to make money quickly.
“They bought it for £1 from a charity, they ran it into the ground in under three years and now they want to sell it for £12 million to developers,” he said from the site.
The group was served with eviction papers after a week working as a local community centre, supporting homeless and elderly residents.
Camden Mothership organisers had hoped to follow in the footsteps of Manchester activists, who convinced footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs to allow them to use one of their properties as a homeless shelter.
A Christmas dinner in the 56-room building had already been announced with the local community.
C&C was originally set up to help homeless women but a spokeswoman said the group was “deeply concerned” about the occupation.
“As a charitable housing provider, we provide sheltered and supported housing and support for vulnerable people across London,” she said.
“The proceeds of the sale of Church Walk will be channelled back into delivering those services and helping people.
“The squatters’ presence in Church Walk is obstructing this and we have asked the group to leave immediately.”
She also welcomed vulnerable members of the squat to apply for housing with the trust.
The threat of eviction coincided with the publication of this year’s listing of the 50 most expensive streets in the country compiled by Lloyds Bank.
In 14th position stood West Heath Road, a street bordering London’s iconic Hampstead Heath and a mere half a mile from the centre.
The address was listed as worth an estimated £5,199,000.
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