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Council hits back at MP over Grenfell rehousing strategy criticism
Kensington and Chelsea Council has called a letter from the local MP criticising its rehousing policy “unhelpful to tenants who are trying to rebuild their lives”.
In a letter – seen by Inside Housing – to Emma Dent Coad, the MP for Kensington, Kim Taylor-Smith, deputy leader of the council, accused her of “misappropriation of our intention behind the Wider Grenfell Rehousing Policy”.
Ms Dent Coad had hit out at the council’s plans to impose a deadline on residents near Grenfell Tower making a decision about whether or not to return to their homes.
In his letter, Mr Taylor-Smith said: “First of all, can I say that I was very disappointed to receive your letter, particularly as it emerged on Inside Housing before I had the chance to see the letter and understand your concerns.
“Residents will not be asked to pay more than they can afford as a result of the Wider Grenfell Rehousing Policy.”
Inside Housing sent the council the letter ahead of publication and Ms Dent Coad’s office also claims it sent them a copy ahead of it appearing in this magazine.
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The policy concerns former residents of the Walkways, an area of low-rise housing connected to Grenfell which was evacuated following the fire.
The council has asked them to decide by 30 September whether they wish to return to their former homes or stay in temporary accommodation.
If they do not meet this deadline, their rents will be raised to temporary accommodation levels, and, Ms Dent Coad fears, they will be charged rents on both properties.
It was yesterday condemned by the Labour Party, which passed a motion at its national conference saying it was “appalled” and “disgusted” and demanding the letters be withdrawn.
Ms Dent Coad told Inside Housing of one case where a former Walkways tenant will have to pay four times their current rent as a result of this increase, and that the biggest family affected by the policy will have to pay up to £460 a week if they stay in temporary accommodation.
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A letter sent from the council to former Walkways residents – also seen by Inside Housing – stated: “If you choose not to return home and you remain in temporary accommodation after the end of September, you will start to pay rent for your temporary home from 22 October 2018. You will no longer pay rent for your council home.”
It does not clarify, however, what happens to residents who do not make decisions in time for the deadline.
Mr Taylor-Smith wrote: “The policy states and the letter to residents clarifies that residents will no longer pay rent for their council home once they start paying for their temporary accommodation from 22 October 2018.”
In a response to Mr Taylor-Smith’s letter, Judith Blakeman, ward councillor, said she had spoken to households who had been told by council officers they could have to pay rents on two properties, pay full private sector rent and could lose their housing benefit.
Ms Dent Coad told Inside Housing: “Mr Taylor-Smith yet again fails to show empathy for those affected by the fire in this letter. I have local residents phoning my office on a regular basis, terrified about what this policy will mean for them, and yet he has the nerve to accuse me of scaremongering about the policy.”
