ao link
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In

You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles

We are proud of our role in rehousing Grenfell survivors

The spirit of collaboration among all those dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy was heartening, writes Brendan Sarsfield.

Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
Flowers and tributes left to Grenfell victims
Flowers and tributes left to Grenfell victims
Sharelines

In today’s IH50, Brendan Sarsfield of @PeabodyLDN writes about his association’s work to rehouse Grenfell survivors #ukhousing

The fire at Grenfell Tower cast a long shadow over 2017. Since then, everyone has been in agreement that its lessons must be profound and long-lasting.

However, we cannot afford to just wait for the official report when we know in our hearts that our efforts need refocusing now. In fact we have all been changing since last summer.

In the wake of the fire, Peabody, with the help of Berkeley Homes, bought 68 flats in Kensington to help rehouse those who had lost their homes.

Given the nature of the tragedy, however, it is not as simple as moving people out of interim properties and into more permanent ones. Those who survived the fire experienced near-unprecedented levels of trauma, levels more usually associated with war or natural disaster.

Consequently, though some may now feel ready to build a new life in a new home, others do not.

“Those who survived the fire experienced near-unprecedented levels of trauma.”

They need understanding, support and, most importantly, time, before they will be able to face the future in this way.

What in most circumstances would be a fabulous new home full of possibilities can instead here act as an unforgiving reminder of all that has been lost.

Such human complexities raise difficult questions when considering any of the new properties that remain unoccupied.

How long can, or should, they stay empty during a well-documented housing crisis? How should the needs of other homeless families in Kensington and Chelsea best be taken into account? There simply aren’t any easy answers to these issues.

With compassion, empathy and resourcefulness, though, 2018 must be a year in which we all work together to find resolutions that are both caring and pragmatic in equal measure.


READ MORE

Preventing another Grenfell: we interview an experienced fire safety chiefPreventing another Grenfell: we interview an experienced fire safety chief

Our resettlement team, too, has been working to support all the families affected, not just those we are rehousing, helping them move into both temporary and permanent new homes.

This is a long-term commitment, not a short-term fix.

The feedback I have had is that those who have been able to move on with their lives have made a significant improvement once they have decided where they will live long term. This is something of a chicken-and-egg conundrum though.

Has permanent housing provided a foundation for the recovery process, or have we only housed those who have felt most able to move on? Either way, this process is undoubtedly going to have a long tail.

“Those who have been able to move on with their lives have made a significant improvement once they have decided where they will live long term.”

Despite the huge challenges, I have been heartened by the commitment and spirit of collaboration I have observed in all the people and organisations dealing with the aftermath.

It has been an honour to play a small part in this process and, though it may be difficult to feel with conviction at the moment, good will one day emerge from this tragedy.

Next door to Grenfell Tower, and in stark contrast to its blackened shell, we have a new development called Silchester.

I think this is a real beacon for the future in North Kensington: well-designed homes to house ordinary people who are excluded from the housing market, but who have dignity, pride and a lot to offer their communities and the country.

I am very proud of our small but important role in Kensington, and I hope my colleagues in the sector will share this pride.

I’m sure you have many similar examples of how you have grasped major problems – ones that needed solutions right for both people and property – and delivered them thoughtfully, with kindness and speed.

I think these are three attributes that truly distinguish our sector and give me hope for the future.

Brendan Sarsfield, chief executive, Peabody

Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
Add New Comment
You must be logged in to comment.