Permanent homes for Grenfell residents to be available ‘shortly’
PERMANENT HOMES for those affected by the Grenfell Tower blaze will be available “very shortly”, the Communities Secretary has confirmed.
Sajid Javid told the Commons that temporary accommodation had been offered to every family who lost their home in the deadly fire after he was quizzed by Kensington MP Emma Dent Coad on when they would be permanently rehoused.
Mr Javid said: “I can confirm to (Ms Dent Coad) that the first new permanent homes will be available very shortly and more are being secured either in Kensington and Chelsea or very close by.
“In the meantime, good-quality, fully furnished, temporary accommodation in the local area has been offered to every family.”
Ms Dent Coad said some of the temporary accommodation was unsuitable, leading to people refusing the homes.
The newly elected Labour MP, speaking during communities questions in the Commons, said: “I’m dealing with case work day by day and I’m amazed that only 22 households have been matched with temporary accommodation, four have moved in. What on earth is going on here?
“There are empty homes all across the borough and they are still not being taken up.”
Mr Javid replied: “There’s over 220 temporary homes that have been identified, they have been inspected – they are all good quality, they are all available with good-quality accommodation.”
He asked Ms Dent Coad to bring details of any unsuitable offers for him to look at, promising that the Government would take it “very seriously”.
Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts, chairman of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee, said it was “absolutely crucial” for social housing to be increased in Kensington and Chelsea.
Mr Javid said: “I do agree that we want to see more social homes, not just in Kensington and Chelsea, we want to make sure that choice is offered across the country.”