• THE “Autonomous Winter Shelter” occupation of the former St Mungo’s Hostel in Gray’s Inn Road was evicted last Thursday despite repeated attempts by the occupiers to enter into dialogue with the property’s owners, One Housing.

They wished to negotiate a possible stay until there were plans to put the building, empty since 2019, to some sort of use.

The shelter housed a community of vulnerable adults since it was squatted in December last year, including a woman six months pregnant with twins and many people who the care system has categorically failed to support through the winter.

Since being opened by anarchists last year the shelter has self-organised to provide room and board for dozens of people, including squatters, former renters and rough sleepers, becoming a hub for the distribution of hundreds of meals, clothes, and cold-weather gear.

One former resident reported: “The other hostels are rife with drugs and violence. At least here we could solve our own problems and make our own decisions. It’s been more than a shelter, this was our home. If it wasn’t for squatting, I’d be on the streets.”

During the eviction the 30 residents were given insufficient time to remove their belongings, so much remained in the building.

There are no planning permission requests logged with Camden Council for the property and it will now most likely remain empty until its inevitable conversion into unaffordable housing.

I wonder if One Housing CEO, Mick Sweeney, has any comments on this unnecessary eviction.

CHRIS REEVES
Co-chair, Hillview
Residents’ Association