Monday 5 November 2012

London Councils to Send Homeless Families Out of the City





As rents in London continue to rise and the Housing Allowance has been capped at £400 a month councils are preparing to move families out of capital the Guardian reports. Families could be rehoused as far away as Berkshire and Sussex as the shortage of affordable housing in the capital worsens.

London councils are acquiring cheaper properties in areas outside of London as a response to predictions of increasing levels of homelessness ahead of Government cuts that come into force in April of next year. Whilst councils are reluctant to force London families to move away, they are finding it impossible to provide housing in the city. Moving families away from their home borough causes severe disruption impacting on the education of children their wellbeing.

By law local authorities have a duty to house families at risk of homelessness within the Borough the application is made ‘as far as is practicable.’ However, rising rents combined with government cuts make it impractical and, in places, impossible to provide suitable housing.

The government must tackle rising rents in the capital so that affordable housing is available to all. Moving families out of the city does not address the underlying problems of social injustice that lead to homelessness.

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