Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
MASS EVICTION
Shock as heartbroken families ordered out of homes on city estate
More than a dozen families face losing their homes after receiving “bombshell” emails ordering them to move out.
Those affected have been settled in former Army houses at the old Howe Barracks site in Canterbury for two years, renting from the Ministry of Defence.
But agents acting for the department have advised them to now start looking for somewhere else to live.
It came as a bolt out of the blue to the families, who now say they fear being made homeless or having to move away from the area because they cannot afford private rents.
More than a dozen families face losing their homes after receiving “bombshell” emails ordering them to move out. Those affected have been settled in former Army houses at the old Howe Barracks site in Canterbury for two years, renting from the Ministry of Defence.
But agents acting for the department have advised them to now start looking for somewhere else to live. It came as a bolt out of the blue to the families, who now say they fear being made homeless or having to move away from the area because they cannot afford private rents.
The 13 properties affected are currently leased to the Ministry of Defence from Annington Homes and sublet at reduced rental rates. But the MOD now wants to end the leases and hand them back to the company, along with a further six which are already empty.
One of those affected is mum- of- two Michelle Lampert-lloyd, who lives with her husband Jamie in Pilckem Close.
“It’s come as a bombshell for us, “she said.
“I let out a scream and started to cry when I saw
the email. When we took on the tenancy we were given the impression it was a longterm let and even had to pay a year’s rent up front, which we had to borrow.
“My husband is a driving instructor and has only just got back to work and I am studying at Christ Church University.
“We just could not afford to rent in the private sector and I’m frightened that homelessness is a real possibility for us.”
Also anxious about their future are Gayle Shearwood and her postman husband Mark, who have two children and live in Albuhera Square. “We’re very worried, “she said. “There is nothing we could afford in the private sector and that won’t change. “Surely, the best thing to do would be for Annington to keep us here and lease the
properties to the city council.” Victor Requena and his partner Roselle, who have two young children and work from home in Aisne Drive, are also worried.
“We are very settled and happy here, “he said. “This is completely unexpected. We couldn’t believe it. We can’t afford the private rental market.”
Most homes on the barracks site previously housed military families.
But since the closure of the Army base in 2015, the MOD has handed back hundreds of the properties to owner Annington.
The majority of these have since been leased to Redbridge Council.
Those still leased by the MOD have been sub-let to private tenants. Annington was asked what it will do with the 19 proper
ties when they are returned, but had not responded as the Gazette went to press. The MOD says it has given tenants six months to find alternative accommodation. A spokesman explained: “The MOD has a responsibility to house military families as part of their terms and conditions of employment and is not a civilian residential landlord.
“We do elect to rent properties to civilians on a shortterm basis rather than keeping properties vacant, particularly if there are uncertainties over future demand levels.
“We will work with our partners to try to identify alternative accommodation in the area for those directly affected.”
She added that the homes must be returned to Annington in “vacant possession”.