The planned eviction of 80 people from a vacant care home in Ixelles, Brussels, has been called off, according to Rockin’Squat, a collective which helps to offer shelter for vulnerable people.
The group had feared the eviction would go ahead as scheduled on Monday morning. Around 20 people gathered at the site to protest against the action. According to testimonies relayed to the Belga News Agency, police arrived at about 06:00, but only to deliver a letter confirming another cancellation of the eviction, following postponements in mid-March, early April, and late June.
The collective’s legal representatives sent a letter on Sunday to those handling the eviction notice. It reminded them of a regional ordinance that prevents any eviction until 15 working days have elapsed after the eviction notice.
"We received this notice on 28 June, so postponement at least until 16 July is required," states Nael Daïbes, a Rockin’Squat representative.
The cited ordinance further specifies that eviction is not possible if an effective rehousing solution becomes available within a month of eviction notice.
The collective has secured another vacant building in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre for rehousing. They are planning to start moving furniture on Monday and have scheduled the signing of a new occupancy agreement in two weeks, according to the collective.
"We will have left the premises by August 4. We hope there will be no further fear of potential eviction, so we can move peacefully," adds Daïbes.
