Following a series of public meetings involving people with lived experience of the housing crisis and campaigners a new housing action committee has been launched.
The Derry Housing Action Committee says 'The housing crisis continues to get worse. Record numbers of families and individuals are trapped on the housing waiting list, they are stuck in hotels and in unsuitable temporary accommodation and too many face spiralling rental costs.
Stormont has once again announced its social housing build target will be cut in half because of lack of funding. In the past, the people of Derry marched to address housing scarcity and unaffordable rents. The Springtown families led the way and the original Derry Housing Action Committee was a heartbeat for the Civil Rights movement. The damage of Thatcher-led privatisation of social housing has not been undone.
There are solutions to challenge the housing misery many people face. We need a mass build of social and affordable housing. Rents should be reduced and capped at affordable prices. There are thousands of properties that can be brought back into use as homes. We need to urgently invest in the upgrade of homes to make them healthy and energy efficient. We need to put a stop to extortionate rents and unacceptable housing conditions. We won't allow migrants and other marginalised groups to be blamed and scapegoated for systemic government failure and unscrupulous housing profiteering.
We are urging people from all communities and all parts of the city to join us at 1pm on Saturday June 14th to march from the Waterside Train Station to the Guildhall Square to call upon Stormont to act.
A cross party grouping of political activists included People Before Profit's Councillor Shaun Harkin for Derry. He said, 'A warm and affordable home is a basic human right. However, everyday we hear from individuals and families who are denied this right. The housing crisis has spiralled out of control because the Stormont Executive has neglected its responsibility to ensure the adequate provision of social housing and regulate rental charges. We can't allow vulnerable groups to be scapegoated for the failure of government to address the housing crisis. A people power movement is the key to shifting government priorities.'
Cllr Gary Donnelly said: 'Those tasked with running this state have failed miserably to deal with the homeless problem in this City. We must demand that individuals and families have a right to adequate housing and shelter. This is fundamental for stability, security, peace, and dignity. I would urge everyone to support this important campaign.'
Other experienced campaign and tenants' rights groups were involved including Amie Gallagher of Creggan Enterprise's Focus Project:
'Everyday we talk to women whose families can't access a home, who struggle to pay their rent or who are living in a house with mould. The situation is an emergency. Stormont makes promises but doesn't deliver. We take inspiration from the incredible campaign of the Springtown families and the original campaigners in the Derry Housing Action Committee. It's time to put feet on the street.'
Concerned Residents Around Magee said 'HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) are profitable for developers but are not suitable for families who are being priced out of the rental as well as buyers market for family homes. We need to protect residential areas and ensure there's good quality and affordable housing for all. We got organised to demand a 10% cap on HMOs instead of the Council’s 30% on every street in Derry. We need grassroots action to address the housing crisis.'
CATU Derry, the local branch of Community Action Tenants Union said simply 'Stand up for your own housing rights. Strengthen your community. Join CATU Derry - Ireland's only all-island tenants union."
To get involved or find our more write to DerryHousingActionCommittee25@gmail.com
