A couple with a baby who occupied a house in Altavista evicted due to "no affordable rentals"

The eviction took place at 12 noon this Friday, although those affected left the house earlier: "They didn't want to be here because they have collapsed, it has been a lot of pressure"

November 29 2019 (15:23 WET)
A couple with a baby evicted from a house in Altavista that they occupied because "there were no affordable rentals"
A couple with a baby evicted from a house in Altavista that they occupied because "there were no affordable rentals"

A young couple with a baby, who occupied a house owned by La Caixa in the Altavista neighborhood, has been evicted this Friday morning.

The eviction took place at 12 noon on Telesforo Bravo Street, although those affected did not attend, as they left the house first thing in the morning. "They didn't want to be here because the couple has collapsed. It has been a lot of pressure and this is not a good thing", explained Elsa Betancort, spokesperson for the Platform for Decent Housing in Lanzarote, who was present at the eviction, as well as neighbors.

According to Betancort, the couple decided to occupy the house two years ago because "there were no affordable rental homes for what they earn." And, although the husband works in a supermarket chain, "his job is temporary." "They hire him and stop him, because here in Lanzarote very few companies make people permanent," lamented the spokesperson for the Platform for Decent Housing.

desahucio altavista 2

"And with the inexperience, they hired a public defender, but he didn't process the papers well and suddenly the eviction order came," added Elsa Betancort, who pointed out that it was then, about fifteen days ago, when the couple decided to turn to the Platform. "It has all been very rushed," said the spokesperson for the group, who explained that by then there was no time to try to negotiate a social rent with La Caixa.

Pending aid to rent a home


However, the Platform for Decent Housing has explained that they tried unsuccessfully to stop the eviction and put the couple in contact with Social Services. "Now they are staying at friends' houses and waiting for rental assistance to be able to get a home," said Elsa Betancort, who explained that "they will be given about 1,500 euros." "Although if you enter the rental market, it is difficult to find a home with only one month's deposit. Let's see what happens," she added.

desahucio altavista 2

In this regard, the spokesperson for the Platform for Decent Housing emphasized that although "there are several problems on the island, the main ones are not having housing, not having affordable housing, not having social housing, and also the labor issue, that the situation is not good here.

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