Grenfell residents not guaranteed spot in new social homes set to open near tower
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
New social rent homes near Grenfell Tower are set to open in summer. Those affected by the devastating fire who are looking for a second move aren’t guaranteed a place because of the long waiting list.
The flats at Acklam Road will be handed over to Kensington and Chelsea council after Easter, with residents set to move in by summer.
Whilst Grenfell residents have been rehomed, 40 households asked to be re-homed again by February 2022 for various reasons, including the type of home they are living in, relationship breakdowns and mental health struggles, a council report showed.
When asked if the council would consider rehoming Grenfell residents at the Acklam Road development, a spokesman from the council said: “No plans at present. All social housing properties will be allocated in accordance with the Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme.
“Grenfell families looking for a second move, do have high priority on the Housing Register so they can bid for the properties at Acklam Road under the council’s Housing Allocations Scheme.”
The site is located between the Swinbrook Estate and Al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre and will provide 32 one, two and three bedroom homes.
Housing lead Sof McVeigh said this was the second new development completed by the council as part of its New Homes Programme to build 600 properties.
It comes as the West London council “paused” four housing projects and scrapped one entirely.
The projects under review are Latymer Church, Edenham Way, Walmer Road and Lancaster Road while the eight-home development at Helens Gardens has been cancelled due to problems caused by a party wall and planning conditions.
A council report shows projects were being paused because of rising energy costs caused by the war in Ukraine, the price of construction materials as well as a labour shortage of skilled trades like plumbers and plasters as well as interest rate hikes.
Pictured top: Housing lead, Cllr Sof McVeigh, outside the Acklam Road development (Picture: Adrian Zorzut)
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