Northampton Against Cuts holds meeting to prevent eviction of 250 vulnerable adults from NAASH housing

The meeting was hosted by:

Steve Score - Chair of Leicestershire Anti-Cuts Alliance

Jo Morris - Manager of Semilong Community Exchange

Katie Simpson - Chair of Northampton Against the Cuts

Jim Treliving - Subcontracted worker for NAASH

Jim was one of the first to speak, as he had a statement from NAASH trustees:

“Most people are aware of the important work in which NAASH has been involved for many years in support of homeless people in Northampton.

"All those supported are people who need accommodation assistance and support, and have been recommended by West Northants Council and formerly NBC.

"NAASH is financed by recovering benefits from WNC on behalf of the clients who are accommodated. This is NAASH’s principle income.

"Unfortunately, there is a dispute between NAASH and WNC on the validity of those claims. As a result, WNC have ceased making any payments which has caused NAASH’s financial position to become impossible. Without that funding NAASH will not be able to continue to operate.

"Negotiations continue with WNC but the timing is now critical, unless resolved immediately, NAASH will have to close.”

Steve shared lessons from the anti-cuts campaigns in Leicester and Jo shared her and her colleagues experiences of suddenly being made redundant while running the community hubs, also essential services.

Katie she said:

"People have used our campaign posts to share divisive rhetoric about immigrants and asylum seekers. These evictions have nothing to do with that. We need to unite with every section of our community against these attacks."

Attendees then discussed a plan of action. It was decided that there would be a protest on the 9th August at 1pm with the aim of preventing the NAASH evictions. But a further result of the meeting was a sense of unity, and Jim closed by saying he thought he “was alone in trying to fight for the residents and was pleased to find a campaign ready to help”.

Northampton Against Cuts was more than happy to answer the call to help.