Hundreds of Thousands Face Eviction and Homelessness in Nigeria
An urban renewal plan, announced in February, may put hundreds of thousands on the street and violate international human rights law, says Raquel Rolnik, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on adequate housing.
The River State Government of Nigeria (local government) began demolishing informal waterfront settlements in February in Port Harcourt, which borders the Atlantic and Nigeria’s oil producing delta. They have been ordered to stop by Nigeria’s Federal High Court, but demolitions continue in violation of the court’s order.
According to the United Nations, over 1,000 local protestors against the forced evictions were arrested in early August and the involvement of the military in the evictions places thousands at risk of human rights violations.
Nigeria is a signatory to a number of international agreements, which include provisions related to forced eviction. According to Rolnik, these agreements include provisions requiring Nigeria to ensure adequate alternative housing and resources for resettlement. The government is also required to consult with the affected people, compensate them fairly and provide them with adequate notice before their eviction.
The likelihood that the Nigerian government will follow these procedural rules is unlikely, especially since the River State Government is already in violation of Nigeria’s own court’s ruling.
Homeless Woman Wills $100,000 to Friendly New York Couple
An anonymous homeless woman who passed away at the age of 92, divided all her property, $200,000, between a New York couple and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The reason for her homelessness is unknown.
The Manhattan couple that employed the Holocaust survivor in her final months was amused when she promised to bequeath them all of her property. They had no way of knowing that she had any money, let alone $100,000.
The couple reports that they had agreed to provide her with a bedroom and a hot meal in exchange for her assistance; she moved their car periodically during the work day so that they could avoid parking tickets.
The woman made no stipulations in her will as to how the money ought to be spent. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem says it will use the money to provide scholarships for low-income students.
Homeless Community in Florida May Get New Tent City
A plan to convert 12 acres of land in Tampa, Fla. into a tent community moved closer to completion on August 10, despite opposition. County commissioners voted 5-2 to submit the proposal to a zoning master who will determine how the property must be zoned. If completed the tent village will house 250 homeless individuals.
Neighborhood opponents raise fears that the tents will depress property values and bring crime to an otherwise peaceful area. In a bid to ease tensions and bolster support, Catholic Charities, which has proposed the idea, has modified the layout to include fewer neighborhood entrances and expand existing buffer areas. Catholic Charities also operates a 10 acre camp roughly 15 miles away.
County officials say that the village does not meet the definition of a camp and that the county lacks regulations for similar transitional housing, placing it in regulatory limbo.
“We’re open to suggestions as long as we can address the needs of the homeless,” said Frank Murphy, a spokesman for Catholic Charities. The location, which borders a major street, is ideal for its access to public transportation.
Hillsborough County, which is considering the proposal, has a homeless population over 10,000, more than any other Florida county.
Local legislators and officials may not be keen on allowing the plan to go much further. The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty ranks St. Petersburg, only a couple miles away from the proposed site, as the second most hostile city to homeless populations.
D.C. to Increase Hypothermia Beds by 10%
D.C. officials recently announced a plan to increase the number of beds for the homeless in D.C. by 10 % this winter. According to a survey by the Metropolitan Council of Governments, the District has 703 homeless families, with more than 1,400 children, a 20 % increase over last year. Consequently, many are saying this 10 % increase is just not enough. The increase in beds will be from Nov. 1 to March 31. Officials said that this plan is already taking the depressed economy into account.
Only last month, the city received $7.4 million in federal stimulus funds to help homeless families and those in danger of becoming homeless. Still, at a recent meeting about this new development, it was announced that 285 families are currently on a waiting list for beds. It appears that the worst is yet to come as the homeless face the winter season.
Compiled by Marcus Williams, from published reports
