Actually, Erik thinks he has no choice. He and two others have been living anti-squat in the former presbytery next to the Bossche Sint-Catharinakerk for five years. They have to hand in the keys on Monday. They have no real alternative. “It touches me that I have to leave here.”
The old vicarage must have seen better days. It’s cold and the heating hasn’t worked for a long time. There is mold on the walls. The building, which also contains asbestos, makes a tired and neglected impression. Nevertheless, the three residents are satisfied with their location on the edge of the center with a view of the Bossche Broek nature reserve.
Finding another house in Den Bosch is almost impossible for those in their twenties. Houses are hardly available and if they do exist, they are often unaffordable. The well-known problem for many young people. Erik (27) will now stay with friends for the time being. “It gives me a lot of stress, I haven’t been able to work for a month,” says Erik.
In the 1980s, squatters often fought fiercely against the police against evictions. “But we are anti-squat and have signed a contract. That is why we have fewer rights. Every month we can be evicted with a notice period of thirty days,” says Erik. The residents of the presbytery have unsuccessfully tried to prevent the eviction through the courts.
Erik, who is sitting on the steps in front of the presbytery, looks shaken. “It touches me that I have to leave here. This was a very nice meeting place where people came together. But in the end I just want to live somewhere.” Then he gets up to pack the last things. It will be finally over on Monday and an uncertain time will begin for the residents.
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