How to fight the global Wall Street landlords

They have bought more than €223 billion worth of troubled real estate loans in Europe in the last four years. The article argues that profits made by these institutions from ordinary people’s distress have made them the target of a backlash that has bought together homeowners, renters and housing activists across the world. The article speaks to homeowners and tenants who have first-hand experiences living under this new kind of corporate landlord. It speaks to campaigners in Spain, Ireland and the United States who have one common fight—to protect the right to decent and affordable housing for everyone. 

 

“Their attitude was, we don’t care about you, you’re not a person, you’re just a number.” Mariana, a former tenant of IRES, a corporate landlord in Ireland.

 

"I spent day and night crying until a friend put me in contact with PAH. We were very afraid, but ultimately we decide to fight and we won. Yes, we can!" Paquita Rivas, PAH activist.  During the recession, her daughter was forced to sell the apartment she’d bought during the boom times but for a rock bottom price, leaving her owing €55,000 to the bank. When Blackstone took over the mortgage, they came after her parent’s home as payment.