Around a thousand young people asked for the rural housing shortage in Eindhoven on Saturday. No silent demonstration with signs, but a protest that literally had to be audible. Loud beats and loud music echoed through the Eindhoven city center. “People may see it as a party, but nowadays it is no longer a sign up and demonstrate,” explains initiator Rigo van Son (21). “This is the way we do that.”
Rigo says that he himself is part of the target group that is increasingly difficult to find a home. He works 27 hours a week and says he deserves a ‘decent’ salary, but it is not possible to live independently. That is why he still lives with his parents.
“Now I personally have it pretty good. But there are many of my acquaintances and friends who don’t have that,” he says. “They cannot live with their parents and hops from bank to bank. It is homelessness, only nobody says it.”
According to him, the crisis not only touches young people personally, but it also influences how they can build their lives. “Friends of mine continue to live with their parents, while they prefer to go on their own. But nobody has the opportunity to leave home. That is bothering me very much.”
“A lot of rich people have a lot of money.”
With a view to the upcoming elections, Rigo wants to make the voice of home -seeking young people sound loud. “Now that the elections are coming again, it is useful that we make ourselves audible. I hope we will be heard too.” He feels that there is no listening to him. “I am a bit done with it and feel pushed away.”
Robin also protested. She calls the housing shortage “Fucked Up“And denounces the inequality between people.” Many rich people have a lot of money. They benefit from the housing shortage and we cannot find that. We think everyone is entitled to a home. ”
Jeannot Keser points to another consequence of the housing pressure: cultural life in the city disappears because young people cannot find a home. “Space is scarce and if you can’t afford it, it will be difficult,” he notes.
Student Samar (18) is struggling with finding an affordable place in Eindhoven. “We also have little time to work and then the rents are so high, that’s just a shame.”
Juno also protests and says that girlfriends are struggling with the exact same problems in other student cities. “They still have not found apartments or a student house, because it is just too expensive. They have to travel a few hours every day and then they are gone from early in the morning until late in the evening and have no time left.”
“The louder we are, the faster we are heard.”
With the protest, Rigo wants to get the theme on the political agenda again. “Recently I had the feeling that this subject was sinking. The problem was there, but that was pushed off the table. It was no longer the main subject.”
Samar especially hopes that the message will arrive loudly and clearly. “The louder we are, the faster we are heard. I hope that with these protests we will certainly contribute to this.”
