28 October 2023 , 16:23
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The last resident of a West London estate was removed from his home in handcuffs after a seven-year fight to keep his family home.
The emotional moment was captured on video as bailiffs broke down the door of Yacob Woldehiwot's home where he had lived for 17 years. His eviction on October 11 marked the end of his struggle to stay in Carisbrooke Court in South Acton, an area undergoing regeneration by the council. Yacob and his family were the last to leave, hoping the sturdy building could be renovated instead of replaced. The forceful eviction was the climax of his standoff with the council, which saw him taken away in handcuffs. He told local democracy reporting services he has not been allowed to return to his home, even to collect his belongings.
The area is undergoing a regeneration by the council (Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)Yacob, a homeless man living with relatives, is determined to fight for his home. The father of two told MyLondon: "I came down in handcuffs but my head is up to fight the eviction. He has been a beacon of hope for many in the South Acton community, who have seen their homes taken over by the estate regeneration project. He participated in a housing protest outside the newly built community centre a few months ago, alongside others unhappy with the disruption caused by the development.
He claimed he was subjected to a campaign by the council to evict him, describing it as "life under siege". He alleges that street lights were turned off, rubbish piled up behind his building and men started showing up at his home to intimidate him. "My power was cut, it happened around 2 in the morning. It was pretty spooky, to be honest."
However, the council insists it has done everything possible to handle Yacob's eviction fairly, claiming they approached him 13 times to reach an agreement, but were repeatedly rejected. Ealing Council said they had to make a compulsory purchase order after the man refused their offers, causing a three-year delay to the building's demolition and redevelopment. Yacob, says the last 7 years have been incredibly tough for him and his family, and that the council's market value offers for his home "wouldn't be able to buy anything around here, not just in London but the whole UK."
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The council also offered him a new home on the South Acton estate on a shared equity basis, with the chance to buy the remaining equity in the future. But due to the rules of this exchange, Ealing Council could only offer him a one-bedroom flat, even though his home was functionally a 2-bed, and he refused again. Yacob explained there were other reasons why he and his wife refused the swap. "When they were demolishing [another housing block near Carisbrooke Court] there was so much noise there was so much dust, during the covid times it was mental torture so my wife gets headaches straight away", he said. Living on the estate would mean watching the destruction of their beloved home, adding insult to injury for the heartbroken family.
Yacob compares the eviction to a family tragedy, as if he's mourning a loved one. "We had a very lovely home and it feels like what my wife was saying, it's like when you are told somebody has died but you don't believe it. We don't believe our home is gone. On two occasions I drove in this direction and had to change. Many times I put this postcode into maps only to remember 'Oh I am not going there'. We still don't believe it." He added staying on the estate would be emotionally taxing knowing what they've lost. "When someone dies, someone close to you, [you can't] hold on to their clothes or something like that, it is too painful."
He says he is doing everything possible to challenge his removal and the council's plans and disputes the fact the council properly consulted residents in the development process and is currently trying to prove that there are discrepancies in the council's claims that one was conducted. He's attempting to bring forward a judicial review.
Ealing Council is standing firm on its decision. They said: "Mr Woldehiwot has intentionally and singlehandedly held up the development of new homes for hundreds of other families. He has been offered a package of compensation for his home which reflected the independently assessed market value of the property on 13 separate occasions, but has instead stuck to his unofficial valuation, which is around double the market rate. He was also offered the chance to move into a new home on the estate on a shared equity basis. Instead of accepting either option, he has run a campaign to force the council to pay over the odds.
"Given his persistent refusals to engage, the council had to make his home subject to a compulsory purchase order (CPO). Mr Woldehiwot had exhausted the legal options for challenging the CPO and was therefore removed from the building by High Court bailiffs on 11 October. A council housing officer attended the eviction to offer the council's full support with temporary accommodation, but Mr Woldehiwot again refused support."
The council also mentioned that the demolition of Carisbrooke Court is part of a significant regeneration program. The council told the BBC that the £600m project, due to be complete in 2027, will see the creation of about 3,400 new homes at Acton Gardens, with 1,250 allocated for people on low incomes.
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