About the project
In 2019, the Astana City Administration signed a memorandum of understanding with Ellington Properties Development LLC, a UAE-based company, to develop a tourist complex. Renaissance Construction LLP, a Russian company, was the contractor. The project, which covered an area of around 160 hectares, threatened to displace families living in the area. As the houses were not registered with the national registry and were built without permits, the residents were not offered any compensation or alternative housing. As most residents do not have a high enough income to rent housing in the capital, they will be forced to become homeless or move to other cities, losing their jobs, social connections and access to social services in the process.
About the community-led struggle
Nomad Rights is a Kazakhstani non-governmental organisation that was founded to promote and defend the right to adequate housing. The organisation campaigns against systemic housing violations, monitors compliance with human rights, and challenges international investment projects that result in forced evictions or violations of land rights.
Nomad Rights has been providing legal assistance and launching advocacy efforts in support of the housing rights of residents affected by the tourist complex in Astana. The organisation has held various community gatherings, provided legal consultations and held advocacy meetings with city authorities, as well as preparing legislative proposals on housing rights.
As a result of these efforts, nine families were able to officially legalise their homes and receive monetary compensation from the local authorities. This ensured that residents had access to compensation or the opportunity to purchase alternative housing, thereby minimising the risk of homelessness and loss of basic living conditions.