Protest against Tottenham company

Haringey residents today gathered outside the offices of Smart Housing Group on Tottenham Lane to protest against the company's attempts to encourage London councils to move homeless residents out of the city, calling on passers-by to contact the company and demand that they withdraw their plans.

Haringey residents today gathered outside the offices of Smart Housing Group on Tottenham Lane to protest against the company's attempts to encourage London councils to move homeless residents out of the city, calling on passers-by to contact the company and demand that they withdraw their plans.

Leaflets accusing the company of “profiting from poverty” were handed out to shoppers, parents and workers early this morning outlining the company's proposals, and calling at the same time for the lowering of rents and the provision of more social housing. Many of those receiving the leaflets were vocally supportive of the protest.

The protest was organised by members of the Haringey Solidarity Group and the Haringey Housing Action Group, who also held a banner reading ‘HOMES FOR ALL’ in front of the office.

A proposal made to Westminster Council by Smart Housing Group in April suggested rehousing “150 people within the next 12 or so months” to towns as far away from London as Derby and Nottingham, “and ideally with an option for Smart Housing Group to increase this number over time to perhaps closer to 500 properties.”

Under these plans, Smart Housing Group would buy properties outside London, and then charge London councils wanting to move people out of the city.

This is being justified as a way to reduce the housing benefit bill and the amount spent on emergency homeless provision. In reality the housing benefit bill is so high because there are no controls on the amount landlords can charge for accommodation that is often of poor quality.

Protesters argue that the real problem is “out-of-control landlords.” The leaflet handed out to the public (see below) encouraged contacting the company and demanding that they change their plans.

Staff at the office vehemently denied the protestors’ accusations, despite the company’s General Operations Manager having previously been quoted by the BBC as saying that Smart Housing Group is in the early stages of negotiations with three London authorities.

Protestors are hoping that enough bad publicity and public opposition will prevent the plans from progressing at all.

Smart Housing Group's plans for homeless families represent part of a wider housing crisis for ordinary people, with recent studies suggesting that if current trends continue, renting is increasingly to become a “way of life” for young single people and families alike.

At the end of May, a meeting of Haringey residents decided to start organising around issues affecting tenants in the private rented sector, in particular aiming to empower tenants; resist evictions; put pressure on landlords; demand that the Council use its powers to defend private tenants and meet its obligations towards them; and to support alternative forms of housing such as squats and co-ops.

Links:

Haringey Housing Action Group

Haringey Solidarity Group