Waltham Forest Socialist Party members, along with local trade unionists and others, in a bailiff-defying vigil outside Nadia's home, photo Martin Reynolds

Waltham Forest Socialist Party members, along with local trade unionists and others, in a bailiff-defying vigil outside Nadia’s home, photo Martin Reynolds   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Kevin Parslow, Waltham Forest Socialist Party

Following threats and evictions of women and their families in Waltham Forest, east London, the trades council’s Housing Action Network met on 5 January to discuss the defence of residents who may be forced out of their homes.

The campaign is now working with four families. All have been taking legal advice, and, of course, we will assist them and others in legal battles. An advocacy group will be established to assist tenants having problems.

We have to take on unscrupulous private landlords, and the complicit Labour council, if we are to prevent further evictions. Everyone should have the right to stay in the borough where they work or have networks of friends and family.

The meeting agreed to set up a register of empty homes, and urge families not to move if threatened with eviction. We are producing a leaflet outlining residents’ legal rights.

We will also regularly lobby council meetings. Councillors should act in their constituents’ interests and not those of private landlords.

The council must requisition empty properties for the homeless. Our next ‘eviction resistance’ action will be on Saturday 22 January – meet 2pm, Wood Street Square, Walthamstow.

See also ‘Nana’s eviction: Community vs heartless Labour council’ and ‘Nadia: Resisting evictions in east London’ at socialistparty.org.uk.