Housing Action Hits Home: squats seized from council neglect

A group of 50 people made up of activists, sympathisers and homeless, struck last Saturday November 8th. The entire first floor of a derelict council block in Finsbury Park, North London, was taken under their control at midday. The space, now known simply as the Community Squatting Project, is being heavily renovated to provide housing – at least one homeless family have already moved in. Police arrive at the site at around 4PM, but left after a brief exchange; this essentially rubber stamps the legality of the occupation for now. The conditions of the flats vary, but crucially the window panes are still intact in most, and heating and electric have not been sabotaged to prevent habitation. In all, nine three-bedroom flats are now under collective occupation after the action coordinated by North East London Squatters Network (NELSN). The network has existed so far to provide effective support to squatters by coordinating defence from police or bailiffs, but has also been meeting regularly to discuss the collective issues and potential impact of squatting in the area: this action is a promising indicator of a more outward and socially motivated trajectory. The action had been in the works for roughly 2 months, aiming from the start to help homeless people discover squatting as a potential solution. One of the flats will become an information centre connected to the Advisory Service for Squatters (www.squatter.org.uk) to explain the Project, and promote further occupations. A letter explaining the reasons behind the Project was delivered to the council residents in the connected blocks immiediately after moving in.