Council acquires more temporary accommodation to meet demand

Like other London authorities, the council is continuing to respond to the rapid increase in demand for housing support and bear the additional costs of providing homelessness assistance which have increased by an unprecedented £14 million in the past two years.  

There are currently more than 1,500 households in temporary accommodation in Hillingdon and the council receives an average of 100 new homeless applications each week, primarily due to evictions involving private landlords or friends and family.  

To help address the acute shortage of readily available short-term housing, the council's Cabinet agreed a lease of a minimum of 10-years at its meeting last week (Thursday 22 May). 

The council will furnish each of the self-contained properties and carry out any fire safety upgrades needed, including installing new fire doors. 

Earlier this year, the council agreed the lease of 13 properties from Heathrow Airport and began repurposing a council block of flats in Yiewsley to create additional temporary accommodation. 

With more than 3,200 households on the housing register, a 14 per cent increase in the last three years, and 450 properties let on average each year, the council is also addressing the shortage of affordable homes by developing brownfield land and revitalising housing estates.    

In March, six new three and four-bedroom houses were completed on a former disused garage site in Harefield to assist households who are currently on the Housing Register. Construction on the first phase of the Hayes estates redevelopment, which will deliver 110 new homes, is set to complete later this year and work recently began on 95 affordable homes in Yiewsley. 

Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, said: "We are taking proactive steps to increase the number of homes and short-term placements available in the borough.  

"Acquiring new properties and repurposing surplus buildings is part of our strategy to support residents facing homelessness and reduce our reliance on costly hotel and bed and breakfast placements.  

"By creating more temporary homes it also reduces the negative impacts on those experiencing homelessness, providing them with a secure and stable placement, while alternative suitable housing is found.       

"Our main priority is to prevent homelessness before it happens and therefore it's vital that anyone with concerns for their housing situation seeks support early."   

For more information on how to find an affordable private rented property, or access a range of support to prevent homelessness, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/housing-advice.  

Do you or a family member have an empty property in the borough? Could you help us provide more homes, even for a short period of time? The council's Housing Buyback Scheme offers market value to buy or lease properties that have become permanently or long-term vacant. To find out more, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/buy-back-scheme.