Europa Ocidental

Spain approves new eviction law

Published in Monday April 22nd, 2013 In In the media

Spain’s Parliament on Thursday approved a new mortgage law it hopes will calm a national outcry over the dramatic increase in evictions in recent years, but anti-eviction lobbyists said the law was insufficient. Repossessions because of mortgage nonpayment have soared since Spain’s economic crisis began in 2008. Spaniards are angry that most people still have to pay off their mortgage debt even after eviction.

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Security of tenure: collaborate with the debate! Send us documents, articles, reports, information about practices for recognition and promotion of security of tenure for urban poor in your country!

Published in Monday April 1st, 2013

This questionnaire is designed primarily to obtain information for the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing’s ongoing study on security of tenure for urban poor and the most vulnerable, including questions related to informal settlements.

Britain Pledges to Curtail Benefits for Immigrants

Published in Tuesday March 26th, 2013 In In the media

Prime Minister David Cameron promised more stringent rules Monday to reduce outsiders’ access to social, health and housing benefits, reflecting a fraught debate in Britain over the potential impact of increased immigration from southeast Europe that could fuel a rightist threat to his Conservative Party.
The prospect that citizens from Bulgaria and Romania could gain unfettered access to the British labor market under European Union rules has raised alarms among some Britons about competition for jobs, strengthening anti-immigrant sentiment and helping fuel the insurgent United Kingdom Independence Party.

Immigrants banned from housing waiting lists for up to five years

Published in Monday March 25th, 2013 In In the media

The Prime Minister will use a speech on Monday to make it clear that he believes tough new moves on housing are needed because Britain became a “soft touch” for immigrants during the years Labour were in power. In what is being billed as a landmark address on the subject, he will vow to bring to an end a situation where people can come to Britain and get benefits and public services without putting anything in, according to aides.

The housing situation of Roma communities

Published in Wednesday March 20th, 2013

Roma are more likely to live in poverty than non-Roma citizens. They have a higher risk of unemployment, stay in school for fewer years, and many live without access to drinking water, sanitation and electricity. Roma are more likely to suffer from chronic illness and have less access to health services. UNDP works with national partners to promote inclusion of Roma into economic, social, political and community life and in this publication they analyze the housing situation in Roma communities and the discrepancies regarding their non-Roma neighbors.

Housing is a right! Protest and solidarity with the Spanish being evicted

Published in Monday March 18th, 2013 In Mobilisation and agenda

Protest will be head today in front of the Spanish embassy in Paris, London, Edinburg, Berlin, Lisbon in solidarity against evictions and in support to the People’s Legislative Initiative (ILP), the citizens’ response to Spain’s mortgage lending fraud. Please disseminate!

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European court says tough Spanish eviction laws illegal

Published in Thursday March 14th, 2013 In In the media

The European Court of Justice ruled Thursday that harsh property repossession laws in Spain that have led to hundreds of thousands of evictions during the country’s deep recession violate EU laws on consumer protection.

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European court says Spanish eviction laws illegal

Published in Thursday March 14th, 2013 In In the media

The European Court of Justice ruled Thursday that harsh property repossession laws in Spain that have led to hundreds of thousands of evictions during the country’s deep recession violate EU laws on consumer protection, and activists said the decision could lead judges to halt thousands of bank foreclosure proceedings.

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The right to adequate housing for women is crucial for the effectiveness of other rights – Newsletter #32

Published in Friday March 8th, 2013

The Special Rapporteur seizes the opportunity on this March 8th to reaffirm that the guarantee of the right to adequate housing for women is crucial for the effectiveness of other rights and for the promotion of autonomy in every sphere of their lives.

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Switzerland’s statement on the security of tenure report

Published in Thursday March 7th, 2013

Read Switzerland’s statement regarding the presentation given by the Special Rapporteur about her thematic and mission reports on March 4th, during the 22nd session of the Human Rights Council.