Demonstration in Pamplona to demand a solution for 507 families affected by the Residential Test

Some 2,000 people - according to the Delegation of the Spanish Government - demonstrated this Saturday in Pamplonato demand a solution for the 507 families living in homes owned by the company Testa Residencial, located in the neighbourhoods of Etxabakoitz, Buztintxuri, Artic, San Jorge and Rochapea, which lost their VPO ratingat the beginning of this decade.

Themobilisation  called by the affected families and the LAB union departed at 5.30 p.m. from Baluarte Square, preceded by a batting and under the slogan "Against the housing business. Housing is a right." 

After crossing the streets of Pamplona, the protest has ended in Plaza del Castillo. There, representatives of families affected by the end of rent have taken the floor:  "We will not be kicked out. We're organized. We will fight to the end, "they said.

According to reports, "Testa Residencial, a subsidiary of the Blackstone Investment Fund," wants tenants to leave their homes to sell their homes. "Many of these people have been living there for over 25 years and have paid more than 150,000 euros in rent." Moreover, they recall, "housing was built with public funding, even though their property was in private hands."

Faced with this situation, they have called on the Government ofNavarre to "stop the threats of eviction, through expropriation to take ownership and public management of homes, and to ensure indefinite rental contracts and lower prices".

The event was also attended by a representative of Ezkaba's neighbours, who expressed support for the families concerned and criticized the PP's appeal to the Constitutional Court against the amendment of the Foral Housing Act adopted in June . He recalled that the legal amendment "prevented VPOs for rent from moving to the free market" and warned that the appeal "opens the door to what is happening with Testa tenants".

The general coordinator of the LAB union, Igor Arroyo, has denounced that this situation has been caused by "housing policies implemented by governments for decades" and that "the right and the extreme right defend the interests of real estate employers and vulture funds."  "The homes that have been officially protected, paid for by Navarros and Navarros, are owned by Navarros and Navarros."

  has also called for participationin the general strike of 11 November to "put an end to the speculation that we all suffer with housing."