Lewisham council has announced plans to purchase a portfolio of 300 houses to provide emergency accommodation for families at risk of homelessness. The decision was made in response to
a sharp increase in families reporting as homeless or at immediate risk of losing their homes. While the council is already in the process of building 2,000 new homes to reduce waiting lists, officials say that specific homeless accommodation is also required.
By purchasing the homes outright, the council hopes to bring down the ballooning sum it is spending on emergency accommodation and ensure more consistent living standards for families. While the total cost of the purchase has not been disclosed, Lewisham council has stated that it is willing to spend up to £600,000 on each property.
Last year, Lewisham council spent over £143,962 on hotels for homeless families, more than four times the amount it spent on such accommodation in the previous year. This significant increase is reflected in the rising number of people approaching the council in danger of losing their homes, which has jumped by 31% from 2,833 to 3,723 in just two years.
As of April last year, there were over 10,200 people on the council's housing waiting list, with more than 2,200 families living in temporary accommodation. While the council plans to start work on 2,000 new council homes by 2026, they have acknowledged that they are unable to keep up with the demand for housing. The purchase of these 300 homes will provide emergency accommodation for families in the most desperate need.
This move has been widely welcomed by homeless charities, who have praised the council for taking action to address the crisis. According to Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter, "The government has a responsibility to house everyone who is homeless, but councils like Lewisham are picking up the pieces of their failure. By purchasing these homes, the council is providing a lifeline for families who would otherwise be left with nowhere to turn."
Homelessness is a growing problem across the UK, with a reported 320,000 people experiencing homelessness in England alone in 2020. This includes those sleeping rough, in temporary accommodation, or sofa-surfing. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, with many people losing their jobs or struggling to pay rent due to the economic downturn.
While the government has made some efforts to address the issue, including funding for new homes and services, many believe that more needs to be done. The purchase of these 300 homes by Lewisham council is just one example of how local authorities are taking matters into their own hands to tackle the crisis.
The council has said that it will work closely with local housing associations to manage the properties and ensure that families receive the support they need. In addition, they are exploring other options for providing emergency accommodation, such as converting disused buildings into temporary homes.
Overall, the purchase of these 300 homes is a positive step towards addressing the growing homelessness crisis in Lewisham and across the UK. While there is still much work to be done, this move demonstrates the council's commitment to providing safe and secure accommodation for families in need. Photo by Steve Cadman from London, U.K., Wikimedia commons.