No more rent

Albert Visscher, a man in his fifties, made a radical decision. He couldn’t pay his rent anymore so he bought an old super market truck to live in. He placed it on an abandoned business park close to the city. A couple of years later he still lives here, illegally, together with his girlfriend.

‘On the most beautiful spot of the city’, he says looking out over the river. A wood stove keeps him warm during the cold winter months; in summer he enjoys the outdoors. He washes himself with rainwater and is able to use tapwater from the neighbours.

In the West more and more people slowly glide into poverty and debts. With a growing pressure on the housing market fewer affordable places are available for rent. Some are simply not able to pay their bills any more. How do we take responsibility in a world dominated by economical values? Albert and his girlfriend made a rigorous choice to abandon luxury and live in a trailer, but is that the solution to a growing problem? In The Netherlands almost one in every five households has problematic debts, according to a research study, which not only causes economical problems but also affects ones life in general.

Albert his house, an old supermartket truck. During winter it can be cold, but with firewood he heats his house. At night the tempature can drop to below ten degrees. During summer he often sleep outside under the stars.
Albert Visscher his truck. It serves as a living room, bedroom and kitchen. He is living here for more then four years and is used to all the inconveniences, but also the freedom it gives him without having to pay for rent. In The Netherlands almost one in every five households has problematic debts, which not only causes economical problems but effects ones life in general.
Albert is cutting the grass at the old cemetery in Deventer. With a group of volunteers they maintain the cemetery and come together once every two weeks.
Together with other volunteers Albert maintains' the old cemetery in Deventer, where they gather once every two weeks. Albert is basically only doing things he likes, without the pressure to earn enough money for his living. On the contrary he doesn't have the luxery of a warm shower or central heating.
Albert Visscher his truck. It serves as a living room, bedroom and kitchen. He is living here for more then four years and is used to all the inconveniences, but also the freedom it gives him without having to pay for rent. In The Netherlands almost one in every five households has problematic debts, which not only causes economical problems but effects ones life in general.
Albert Visscher walks towards his neightbours to fill his jerrycans with water. Together with his girlfriend they use about 60 liters of water a week for cooking and drinking. Without running water themselves they depend on their neighbours for water.
Albert Visscher in his truck. It serves as a living-room, bedroom and kitchen. Most people rely on central heating; Albert abandoned that luxury to lower his costs of living.
Albert leaves his SRV-truck to wash himself with rainwater. In winter he calls it 'the ice-bucket challange', while the water is so cold.
Albert collects rainwater in a large bin to wash himself. Every day he washes himself with rain water. In the winter he calls it the 'ice-bucket challange', while the water is so cold.
Albert is washing himself with rainwater. Every day he washes himself with rain water. In the winter he calls it the 'ice-bucket challange', while the water is so cold.
Albert Visscher his SRV-truck. It serves as a living-room, bedroom and kitchen.