Southampton Tenants Union member solidarity with squatters facing eviction

On Tuesday, 12 December at 9:00am, a group of squatters who are occupying the Blockbusters building in Portswood are facing eviction. Members of STU will be attending the demonstration called to support the group, organised by local Green Party councillor, Katherine Barbour. Seeing as just a few weeks ago, Southampton was deemed the second worst council in England for “non-decent” homes and with the council facing a deep budgetary crisis, it is more than understandable that people will find shelter wherever they can, including in vacant commercial properties.

Meanwhile, the amount of empty homes across the city of Southampton has almost doubled in the past decade, sky-rocketing as 876 properties across the city are sitting empty. As of 2022, there were 7379 families waiting for council housing in Southampton (with expected 10 year waiting periods being the norm) - that’s three families waiting for secure housing for every 100 people in the city. This is a deep injustice - we need meaningful housing action now!