Homes in Lambeth that were previously rented privately will now be used to house homeless families in urgent need of accommodation, the council has announced. The borough is facing a severe housing crisis, with a shortage of affordable homes. Currently, there are 40,000 people on the housing waiting list, and 4,700 families living in temporary accommodation, often in hotels and bedsits. To address this crisis, 163 homes on six different council estates will be repurposed as emergency homes. Over 60 properties have already been returned to the council and are being prepared for families to move in, with nine already re-let.
Lambeth Council is dealing with a budget deficit of £34.3 million due to the high demand for temporary accommodation for homeless families. The council is obligated to provide housing for homeless families, and as of June, 78.3% of temporary accommodation placements were in nightly paid accommodation like hotels. In March 2024, one in 30 households in temporary accommodation across the country were housed by Lambeth Council. The number of homeless families supported by the council has increased by 50% in the last two years, reaching 4,600.
Councillor Danny Adilypour, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Investment and New Homes, stated that the supply of affordable housing for vulnerable families is under immense pressure. He emphasized the national failure to build new homes for private ownership and social housing in the past 14 years. The average property price in Lambeth over the last year was £631,807, with flats selling for an average of £485,893. Terraced properties sold for an average of £963,656, and semi-detached properties for £1,242,900. Despite a 6% decrease in sold prices compared to the previous year, the council is determined to address the high rents and property prices in Lambeth and inner London.
In addition to repurposing privately rented homes, Lambeth Council is also working to bring empty council housing up to standard for letting. They have identified 381 void properties that are being repaired, with 133 homes now ready for residents to move in. The council acknowledges the impact this may have on current private sector tenants and will provide support to help them find a new home.
Overall, the council’s efforts aim to provide much-needed homes for vulnerable residents in Lambeth and tackle the housing crisis. By repurposing properties and accelerating repairs on empty council housing, the council is working towards ensuring that all residents have access to safe and affordable accommodation.
