REDBRIDGE Council will look to move more residents out of the borough to reduce pressures on temporary housing reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
According to a new homelessness strategy, published this week, the council has procured the services of a ‘relocation provider’ who will look beyond London.
A local consultation showed residents would prefer to stay in the East London borough, close to schools and jobs, but the town hall says options are limited.
“With long waits for limited social housing and overall lack of affordable housing in the borough, we can increase people’s choices by expanding options for people to resettle in other areas of the country where demand is less and waiting times shorter,” the homelessness and rough sleeping strategy says.
Housing officers claim these homes “can be more affordable in meeting the housing needs of larger families and enable them to thrive and live fulfilling lives”.
Redbridge is putting a heavy focus on cutting its temporary accommodation costs, as it faces a projected £23.5million overspend in its housing budget.
Certain residents, who could end up on the streets, are owed a housing duty by their local councils. Across London, however, a major shortage of available homes means residents are being put up in expensive hotels and other bed-and-breakfast (B&B) style accommodation.
There are currently more than 2,800 families living in temporary accommodation and 7,500 on the housing register.
According to the council’s application page, waiting times on the social housing register can exceed 20 years. “Most people never get a social home even if they’re homeless, have significant medical needs or live in an overcrowded home,” it says.
Under the strategy, a bigger emphasis will be placed on preventing people from ending up in such circumstances, which is “less stressful and more cost effective” than addressing the impact.
Early intervention involves “identifying the underlying root cause of homelessness for those at risk and offering support on bills, benefits, employment and alternative housing,” the council says.
The town hall also aims to have built 600 council homes by next year, and acquired 800 rental homes by 2028. The report says the council is on track to see a total of 159 new homes built in Luxford Lane by next month.
But despite its ambitions, Redbridge has been consistently behind on its housing targets. Though the council’s planning committee regularly approves new housing, it hit just 14% of its new target in 2024 – falling short of the London Plan quota by more than 1,100.
The report adds that 107 privately-owned homes that were sitting empty for more than six months have been brought back into use over the last year.
In her introduction to the report, housing cabinet member Saima Ahmed blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for the worsening situation.
Cllr Ahmed wrote: “The Covid-19 pandemic brought many challenges, slowing new home construction and leasing during social distancing. Since then, the cost of living and the affordable housing crisis have worsened.
“More Redbridge residents are finding themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“Over the past year, increasing numbers of people approached the council at risk of homelessness, with record numbers of households in temporary accommodation, putting pressure on the council’s budget.”
