Protest planned against high-rising social housing rent

Dozens of tenants' organizations are meeting in Utrecht on Saturday to plan actions against the rent increases. The Woonbond started the campaign "Block the rent increase" today and wants politicians to put an end to the policy that allows skyrocketing rent increases. According to the Woonbond, the rent for a new occupant increased on average by 22.6 percent in 2014. More and more tenants fall into financial difficulty. The number of evictions increased by 8 percent in 2013 compared to the previous year. The rent increases are well above inflation. The corporations that should ensure affordable housing increase the rent more than private landlords. In the regulated sector, where homes are eligible for rent allowance, the corporations increased the rent on average by 4.7 percent last year. In the private sector the rent increased by 3.8 percent. According to the research of the Woonbond, the average rent in crease in two years was 9.2 percent. It is likely that rent will increase well above inflation for a third year.