New Era tenants fight back against evictions

August 4, 2014  |   Filed under: North London  |   Posted by:
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by Samir Jeraj

new eraTenants from the New Era estate in Hoxton met last week to start on their campaign to stay in their homes.

All 89 households in the estate are facing eviction since rent hikes were announced by the new owners. The tenants and their supporters have launched a Residents’ Association, Facebook campaign page, and an online petition.

The New Era estate had been known for providing affordable housing for over 70 years, with rents less than half the £2,000 a month nearby flats would fetch on the open rental market.

Tenants have been told that it is ‘unlikely’ they could be rehoused locally by the council if they were evicted, and few could afford local market rents. The consortium of companies who have bought up the area include the Benyon Estate – family estate of one of the UK’s richest MPs, Richard Benyon, and run by his brother Edward Benyon.

Tenant-activist Lindsey Garrett said: ‘We were devastated when we heard that our homes are at risk. Our families are here and many of us have lived here for all of our lives. The New Era 4 All campaign is fighting against the proposed rent hikes by Edward Benyon and his associates. We intend to continue to campaign for fair rent for the tenants of the new era estate.’

 

You can support the New Era tenants by signing up to the Facebook Group, signing the petition, or offering help to the campaign.