HOUSING 21

Watchdog 18.02.03


Thirty families living in Mount Close in Ealing were offered a "home for life", but have been told they may have under two months before they are all made homeless...


The families in Mount Close in Ealing have found, amid rocketing west London house prices, homes they can afford. Out of their common needs they've built something all too rare on some estates - a community.

Housing 21 offers low rent, on behalf of charities and the local council. It is a not for profit organisation, it began life as a provider of housing for older people and now has over 14,000 homes throughout England. Housing 21 took on the management of Mount Close in Ealing in 1993-5 to provide family accommodation because of the huge need for better quality temporary accommodation.

The Chamberlain family have been living on the estate for eight years, and are firmly established in the community, as Sarah Chamberlain explained:
"Its wonderful to live here. The children are happy, they play with neighbour's children as well. There's a real sense of community."

All the residents received a letter out of the blue telling them that the owners, the Metropolitan Police wanted their property back.

Sarah Chamberlain told Watchdog that she sat and read and re-read this letter she received. She couldn't believe the opening line was "as you are aware" but Sarah was not aware that she would not have this home for life.

Seventy-eight year old Emelia Trail has lived on the estate for 10 years, and understandably doesn't want to move, but she too has been given two months to find alternative accommodation. The housing problem is affecting Emelia's health and her peace of mind.

Local MP Steve Pound is fighting their cause. He told Watchdog that the London Borough of Ealing has 9000 people on its housing waiting list and is having to put people in bed and breakfasts a long way out of the borough sometimes. He continued: "To expect families with deep roots in the community, employment, education, social, deep deep roots, ... to pop down to the council and wait for the council to house 9000 people and then find a place for them...quite frankly it's despicable."

It's not just the 30 families living here facing eviction, there's possibly another 180 people like Patricia Artilles. She's lived in nearby Pickering House, also run by Housing 21, for the last eight years. She too received a letter saying she'd have to move in two months time. Patricia is also bewildered that she is being told to leave when their motto is a 'house of life'. Nobody expected to move, many people have spent money into their home, investing their savings on new kitchens and bathrooms.

These are just some of the people who need somewhere to live, but where exactly do the Metropolitan Police and Housing 21 expect them to go?

Emelia Trail told Watchdog
"I am closer to my grave... I am feeling very cut up and unhappy about what they are doing to me."

Patricia Artilles continued:
There's a 180 families that are going to be moved out, and 180 families that are going to need to be rehoused. Where are we going to go?

Housing 21's response

"Tenants have not been given notice to quit.

"We are endeavouring to give early warning of handback and there are still many possibilities regarding how and when this will take place.

"Housing 21 will be exploring all avenues to avoid letting tenants down.

"Metropolitan Police are unlikely to require this block for some time but the decision of exactly when is theirs.

"There will be some natural movement of tenants out and there is time for the Local Authority to plan rehousing options where it has the responsibility for the remainder of the residents.

"The option to buy the block for social housing remains open for consideration.

"We are arranging meetings with residents of all the blocks we manage and with Local Authorities to discuss their concerns and work toward the best rehousing options."