Squatting in Bremen: Protest against housing shortage sparks opposition

Squatting in Bremen: Protest against housing shortage sparks opposition

A squat is causing a stir in Bremen Neustadt. Since last weekend, activists from the group “Shaping Vacancies” have occupied an empty building at Kornstrasse 155. According to those involved, this action is a clear protest against the housing shortage and the constantly rising rents, which are putting many citizens in financial distress. According to information from NDR The police tried to ask the squatters to leave the house on Tuesday. So far they have not complied with this.

The 87-year-old owner of the house, who filed a trespassing complaint on Tuesday, plans to exhaust all legal options to get his property back. At the same time, the authorities are trying to ensure an orderly and legally secure procedure, which has so far taken place without any major incidents. A representative of the Bremen police reported that the situation remained relaxed and that they were in contact with both parties.

About empty buildings and social demands

The squatted building has been vacant for over 20 years, but activists say it could be a valuable housing resource. The activists are not only demanding the immediate use of empty buildings, but are also campaigning for the recognition of housing as a fundamental right. These demands are not new - they have already been formulated by various citizens' initiatives and social movements in recent decades, as the lack of affordable housing in Germany has been an urgent problem for years National Geographic documented.

Around 75 supporters gathered outside the occupied building on Saturday, and an all-day vigil was held on Sunday. While the police don't seem to be losing their patience, there is a growing response to this campaign on social networks. The group “Shaping Vacancies” sees itself as part of a broader movement against displacement caused by rising rents and inadequate housing supply, which particularly affects low-income population groups.

Political dimension of squatting

The discussion about the vacancy of buildings and the housing shortage has a long tradition in Germany. The first squattings took place in cities like Frankfurt as early as the 1970s as a protest against demolition plans and rising rents. Political urban planning has repeatedly ensured that many old buildings fall into disrepair, while the demand for living space in this country is continuously growing. Even today there is a striking contradiction between the existence of vacant properties and the simultaneous housing shortage. Tumults reports that the occupiers have the impression that the owners have no real interest in using the building.

The current dispute in Bremen could therefore also have far-reaching consequences for the debate about housing security and the right to housing. In view of the historically grown problem of real estate exploitation and rising rents, society must conduct a dialogue that not only aims at legal measures, but also addresses the social aspects of housing. It also remains to be seen how the city administration will react to the current developments and whether an agreement can possibly be reached between the different parties.