Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
134 GRENFELL FAMILIES STILL LIVING IN HOTELS
Survivors yet to be re-homed
A SHOCKING 134 families from Grenfell Tower and 24 from nearby Grenfell Walk are still living in hotels two months after losing their homes in the tragedy.
Some have resorted to finding a place privately so sick relatives can be released from hospital and kids have a stable home.
Nicholas Burton, 50, who with his wife was among the last to escape the fire in North Kensington, West London on June 14 said homes the council has offered him have been too far away or in poor repair.
He added: “I had to get private accommodation as my wife is in hospital and they won’t give her to me unless we have a place to live. I’m sure that one or two others have decided they can’t wait any more. Those with children going back to school, they don’t want a hotel room.”
Theresa May had vowed survivors would be rehoused in temporary accommodation within three weeks of the tragedy. Last week Communities Secretary Sajid Javid told residents they would get a permanent home “as quickly as possible, and within 12 months”.
Kensington and Chelsea council said: “Multiple offers are being made until households are completely happy to move.”
Some 70 people are identified as dead or missing presumed dead. So far, only £2.8million of the £18.9million raised for blaze survivors has reached them, the Charity Commission say.