Local Housing for Local People says Councillor

For the first time in over 10 years Enfield has moved down the national league tables with people living in temporary accommodation, despite increasing pressures being brought to bear.

At the end of 31st March Enfield had 2,104 people in temporary accommodation in the borough. This is not good news as temporary accommodation is expensive for the Council, and there is also evidence that a settled home is the best option for the health and wellbeing of those who live in it.

Cllr Oykener said "Even though the pressure on housing has become worse, Enfield Council's Housing Options and Advice Team have worked hard to find housing for local residents.

"But the pressure is on as reductions in housing benefit across London mean that other boroughs are coming to Enfield to source accommodation for their own residents, because housing is becoming unaffordable in their own areas.

"Our Housing Options and Advice Team have worked tirelessly to find accommodation for our most vulnerable residents, and move those living in temporary accommodation to permanent - but it is an uphill struggle.

"In 2010/11 the team managed to find accommodation in private tenancies (through the Homefinder Scheme) for 752 households threatened with homelessness.

"I still believe that we must build more affordable, family sized houses for local people, and try and help our housing teams as much as we can to put local people first in accessing housing.

"I am also concerned at how other London boroughs are prepared to snap up local housing at an alarming rate, potentially leaving nothing for our residents. I am actively working with the other London boroughs to preserve housing for local people wherever possible"