WESTMINSTER City Council has come under severe criticism by purchasing 25 properties in Grays, for over £3.6 million through its charitable company Westminster Community Homes.
The 25 properties, bought at an average price of £145,000, are located in the following postcodes:
RM15 – 3 properties for £509,000
RM16 – 1 property for £148,000
RM17 – 13 properties for £1,795,500
RM18 – 1 property for £128,000
RM19 – 4 properties for £621,000
RM20 – 3 properties for £424,500
The Council says that it has made offers on 160 properties and aims to have purchased 60 units by the end of March 2015 and 150 by September 2015, all for families in temporary accommodation.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Westminster Labour Group, said:
“Westminster Conservatives are continuing to export the homeless to east London and Essex where they have no connections or family support. This places additional educational and social services burdens on local Councils who are already struggling with the most recent Government cuts.”
“By buying up homes in bulk, Westminster Conservatives are using their financial wealth to take away homes from residents in Grays who want to buy or rent locally”
“Westminster Council should be building many more new social housing flats and houses for those in housing need and not sending families many miles away to east London, Essex and beyond”
