Charity calls on council to turn houses into homes
A WOKINGHAM charity is calling on the council to turn social houses into homes.
Many families across the borough are moving into “empty” houses provided by the local authority which have no white goods or soft furnishings.
First Days charity provided more than 400 beds to families in need last year and its founder, Emma Cantrell, is appealing to Wokingham Borough Council to offer more assistance.
She said: “We need local authorities/social landlords to take responsibility for making houses into homes - it’s not good enough to abandon people in empty houses.
“Many families move from temporary housing, such as a bed and breakfast, into these places and have no possessions to their name.”
The charity aims to reduce the long term impact of poverty on children by equipping them with the essential items they need for their early years.
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an increase in the demand for their services with the charity receiving more than 5,000 requests for support in 2021.
Ms Cantrell said: “As a charity we do our best to support people but it shouldn’t be our job.
“Often the people in these situations have nothing and on some occasions are fleeing domestic abuse.
“These people deserve to be treated with more dignity and respect.”
A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “As a social landlord, we always work with residents to support them in their new homes.
“If a new tenant requires assistance with items we will ensure that they are supported to seek assistance available to them via grants and voluntary sector organisations.”
The spokesperson also confirmed that ongoing support is available to those who need it and, as part of their commitment to equality and diversity, all residents are treated with respect and provided with interpretation services where needed.
Within their draft antipoverty strategy, the council has proposed to develop a “Make a House a Home” scheme.
The scheme will help support residents moving into local authority housing, social housing and temporary accommodation to have their homes equipped to live in.
Ms Cantrell is pleased to see this included but would like to see action over words.
She said: “The strategy looks good but we need promises that it is going to be implemented and not forgotten about.”