Our right to housing is dependent on our immigration status – that’s the definition of racism

A new series of short films exploring why people become homeless has been made by Cardboard Citizens, a charity that uses drama to transform the lives of those with lived experience of homelessness, in association with Black Apron Entertainment. Each film is written and performed by people who have experienced homelessness.  

This week’s film is Sabbir at the Estate Agents, written by Sonali Bhattacharyya and performed by Mansa Ahmed. It is told from the perspective of 15-year-old Sabbir, a thoughtful Bangladeshi boy who moved to East London with his mum when he was a toddler. Now, he has to act as translator as his mother tries to find a home for them. 

Sitting in an estate agency, Sabbir says: “Mum has a last-minute panic – told you she was stressed. She got me to write everything she needs to say in English… She’s been practising.”

But they are turned down. Sabbir’s mother is told that she is a “risk”. 

Sabbir continues: “She asked me to explain. I could tell her what the word meant – ‘risk’ – the possibility of something bad happening. But I couldn’t tell her what they meant. Understanding what people say and what they mean are two different things.” 

The writer of Sabbir at the Estate Agents, award-winning playwright and screenwriter Sonali Bhattacharyya, explains the story behind the story. 

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‘There are so many harrowing stories of people being forced into street homelessness’

I had been planning a week of research and development for a project about the Bangladeshi squatters’ movement [in London in the 1970s] with Abdul Shayek, artistic director with Tara Theatre, in conjunction with Cardboard Citizens, just a few weeks before he died last August, aged 39. Abdul was in touch with many of the incredible elders who’d been at the forefront of the movement.

We were really excited about hearing about that period – about the racism and injustice that created housing precarity for Bangladeshi migrants, and the bravery, resourcefulness and solidarity that led to this movement of claiming homes in response. Abdul and I agreed it was important to invite younger activists into the space, so generations could exchange experience, ideas and skills. 

In some ways, things are even worse today than in the ’70s, when the squatters’ movement was flourishing. Now, the hostile environment against migrants includes the ‘right to rent’ scheme that requires estate agents and landlords to see people’s passports or immigration documents before renting properties.

Our right to housing is dependent on our immigration status. This concertedly pushes people into destitution based on their ethnicity – the definition of racism. There are so many harrowing stories of people being forced into street homelessness as a result of the right to rent scheme, including children. And even more examples of ‘hidden homelessness’ as a result of this legislation – people facing overcrowded accommodation or having to rely on the generosity of friends and family, or surf sofas.

This is alongside grinding austerity, used as an excuse by many councils to move families far away from their support networks. Those networks were key for the resilience and resistance shown by the Bangladeshi squatters. We have so much to learn from that movement today, but also so many new challenges.  

Sabbir at the Estate Agents is a story inspired by all this thinking. It’s about this young man identifying these injustices for the first time. It’s also, above all, a testament to my friend and collaborator Abdul Shayek.  

Cardboard Citizens introduces Mansa Ahmed

Sabbir is played by Mansa Ahmed. He has been a member of Cardboard Citizens since 2022 and brings his experience of homelessness to the role. Earlier this year he completed a foundation course at LAMDA. He has worked with the National Youth Theatre and South London Theatre, most recently playing the role of John in One for Sorrow by Cordelia Lynn. 

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