COMEDIAN Russell Brand gave a barnstorming speech at a Tenants’ Association meeting of the New Era estate, Hoxton, last Thursday evening.
Brand described tenants’ plight as “unfair” and promised to provide the campaign with the “amplification” it needs.
The estate, which is largely occupied by pensioners and single mothers, has recently been sold to private investors, leading to rent hikes and leaving devastated families fearing eviction. The Tenants’ Association (TA) has set up a petition calling on Benyon Estates, part of a consortium that has purchased some of the flats, to maintain affordable rents.
Danielle Molinari, a resident mother, said: “We’ve had it confirmed by various people the new flats are going on the market at £600 per week…that’s well out of our price range.”
With around 90 flats in danger, Jules Pipe, the mayor of Hackney, described the proposed rent increases as “tearing the heart out of Hoxton”.
Lindsey Garrett, the chair of the TA, said: “I think as Russell said, we’ve got a really good shot at embarrassing these people – what they’re doing is absolutely shocking.”
Edward Benyon, manager for Benyon estates, defended their involvement in managing the estate in a statement: “Without our involvement, the new owners will terminate the existing leases, refurbish the flats and then let them all out at 100 per cent of full market rents.”
On 22 October the fight continues with a protest outside Shoreditch Town Hall. Ms Garrett said: “What we want is residents standing outside with banners, shouting.”
