In 2021, the largest national housing protest since the squatters' riots took place. Some 18,000 people flocked to Westerpark and demanded en masse that immediate measures be taken that would have a direct effect on widespread homelessness and the unaffordability of housing throughout the country. End of 2022 however, the organization announced that “more and tougher action” is needed to combat the ongoing housing crisis. According to the activists, national and local governments continue to fail to take such measures.

This is evident from the fact that the material situation of the millions of tenants and the tens of thousands of homeless people in the Netherlands has remained unchanged. Despite bombastic plans presented by the Minister of Housing, thousands of evictions still take place every year, the number of homeless people has not decreased, the availability of social rental housing has not increased and millions of people still live every day with the consequences of the much too expensive, temporary contracts in the private sector. The result of policy that is structurally and purposefully designed to provide wealth for wealthy property owners and landlords, at the expense of citizens' right to live.

That is why Woonprotest is organizing a second protest on Dam Square in Amsterdam on 26 February. After the demonstration, a 'march against vacancy' follows through the Kalverstraat towards the Amsterdam city hall. Melissa Koutouzis, one of the organizers: “The busy Kalverstraat is a symbolic location because, right in the city center, thousands square footage of habitable space is empty for the profits of large international retail companies and real estate investors. It is perverse, and an example of the interests served by the current policy.” The organization calls on the municipality to allow and facilitate the march through the city center and is determined to allow the march to take place no matter what.

Spokesman Sander van der Kraan: “After this protest, we will continue with more actions, also in forms that are disruptive. This is how we increase the pressure. Because: if you don't want to hear, you have to feel. The government cannot continue to get away with the neglect of citizens and their rights.” People can register from today to participate in upcoming promotions.

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