The Fight Against Evictions
The Power of Collective Action & The Real Crisis Behind the Housing Shortage
Last winter, Food & Solidarity members were at the forefront of the eviction crisis, mobilising in communities to push back against unjust housing practices, government cuts, and a system that threatened to leave many people without a roof over their heads.
In late 2023, as the UK government moved to block charities from providing tents to homeless people, they continued to allow the number one cause of homelessness—no-fault evictions—to persist, breaking their promise to ban them. At the same time, the government was fast-tracking asylum claims, leading to a new crisis for refugees who, after being granted status, were facing eviction just one week later.
The Crisis
A Government-Orchestrated Crisis
Councils like Gateshead and North Tyneside had already relinquished their duty to house single male refugees, leaving them to street homelessness. While Newcastle City Council had resisted this trend, they expected to receive 500 new housing applications per month from this group alone. In addition, Section 21 evictions were at an all-time high due to the cost-of-living crisis leading private landlords to liquidate assets.
This government-orchestrated crisis aimed to deflect attention from the actual causes of housing insecurity:
- The persistence of Section 21 no-fault evictions despite promises to ban them
- Lack of investment in social housing leaving thousands on waiting lists
- The harmful impact of Right to Buy depleting social housing stock
- The dominance of the private rental sector with inadequate regulation
- Seven-day evictions for refugees replacing the previous 28-day move-on period
Food & Solidarity members fought these injustices head-on. Last winter, during the eviction crisis, we achieved critical wins by resisting unfair evictions, putting pressure on landlords and councils, and advocating for housing rights for refugees and other vulnerable groups.
Our Key Demands
During the eviction crisis, members demanded:
1. More Housing, Not Less
Newcastle City Council planned to slash funding for temporary housing, despite rising numbers of people facing homelessness. Members demanded that these cuts be halted and that temporary housing provision be expanded, not reduced. Cutting these services during a crisis would only worsen the situation, forcing more people into homelessness.
2. Priority Need Status for All Vulnerable People
Local authorities are not automatically required to rehouse you unless you can show you will suffer more than the average person from being homeless. Members fought to reinstate priority need status for all vulnerable individuals in Gateshead and North Tyneside. These councils had begun denying their responsibility to house refugees with newly granted status, leaving them vulnerable to homelessness. We demanded that these councils follow Newcastle City Council's example, which had been providing 100% rehousing for refugees.
3. No Evictions Into Homelessness
Private companies like Mears that house asylum seekers must follow the lead of non-profit housing associations such as Home Group and Your Homes Newcastle, who had committed to evict no one into homelessness. Members put direct pressure on Mears to stop evictions of asylum seekers, especially in light of the government's new policies that shortened move-on periods for refugees, giving them just seven days to find housing after their asylum claims were granted.
What We Did: Actions and Victories
The campaign was built on grassroots organizing, direct actions, and constant pressure for change:
Protests and Direct Actions
- Members organized multiple protests, including outside Mears' offices in Darlington, demanding they stop mass evictions of refugees into homelessness
- Public pressure played a critical role in forcing the Home Office to reverse its policy on seven-day evictions, restoring the 28-day move-on period for refugees
Stalls and Awareness Campaigns
- In neighbourhoods across Newcastle, including Benwell, members held stalls to raise awareness about the crisis and collect public support
- Called on people to fill out consultations and submit responses to the council to stop the cuts
Council Disruptions
- When Gateshead Council failed to meet demands, members disrupted their meetings, drawing attention to the severity of the housing crisis
- Forced local officials to listen to members' stories and experiences
The Wins
Collective efforts led to tangible victories:
✓ Cuts to Temporary Housing Halted
After months of campaigning, Newcastle City Council put its planned cuts to homelessness prevention services on hold, a direct result of the pressure members applied. This was a significant step in ensuring that the most vulnerable are not left without support during the current housing crisis.
✓ Seven-Day Evictions Stopped
In a major win, the Home Office reversed its policy of seven-day evictions for refugees. This victory came after relentless pressure from Food & Solidarity and allied organizations.
Why You Are Needed
Evictions are far from a thing of the past. Thousands of families, including children, are still living in temporary accommodation, with more at risk as the cost-of-living crisis deepens. The campaign showed that when we stand together, we can make real change. But we need more members to join us in this fight.
Whether you've been personally affected by housing injustice or want to help protect your community, your voice and your action can make a difference. At Food & Solidarity, we believe in solidarity, not charity. Our work is about building collective power to challenge unjust systems and ensure that everyone has the right to safe and secure housing.
How You Can Get Involved
Become part of a movement that fights for housing justice. Members plan and execute direct actions, support each other facing eviction, and hold landlords and councils accountable.
Become a MemberFrequently Asked Questions
What is a Section 21 eviction?
Section 21 is a no-fault eviction where landlords can evict tenants without giving a reason. Despite government promises to ban Section 21 evictions, they continue to be the number one cause of homelessness in the UK.
What were the seven-day evictions for refugees?
The government had shortened the move-on period for refugees from 28 days to just 7 days to find housing after their asylum claims were granted. Food & Solidarity campaigned against this policy and successfully pressured the Home Office to reverse it.
What is priority need status?
Priority need is a legal status that requires local authorities to rehouse someone facing homelessness. Without priority need status, councils are not automatically required to rehouse you unless you can show you will suffer more than the average person from being homeless.