Homeless families from London could be rehomed in Margate

by political editor Paul Francis

A Kent MP has demanded an urgent meeting with the chief executive of a
London council after it said it was to offer homeless families places to live in Margate.

Thanet South MP Laura Sandys said she was concerned by the plan by
Lambeth council and feared it could place extra pressure on key council
services.

She said: "I am extremely concerned by reports that Lambeth is proposing
to relocate homeless families to Margate. We already have many families in Thanet who desperately need homes so this will only exacerbate our housing shortage. It will also put additional pressure on our public services; something that is simply not fair on local residents."

She added: "I have taken immediate action by requesting an urgent meeting with the Lameth council chief executive. I have also made Freedom of Information requests to every London Authority on the issue of rehoming families in Thanet and will be calling for an adjournment debate on this particularly pressing matter."

The news has triggered concerns the area, which already has a large number of "looked-after" children, could face further pressure and increased demand for social services.

The London borough of Lambeth said it was exploring offering 29 two bedroomed homes and flats in Margate on a temporary basis to those that needed somewhere to live.

However, it now says that it plans to offer just four families accommodation in Margate and says no vulnerable people will be located in the town.

A Lambeth council spokesman said: "Like many councils, we have a
shortage of temporary accommodation and would welcome any funding support from central government to help us provide homes for those in need. The government is cutting Lambeth's funding by 45% which is putting our service under great pressure.

"One of the options we have for meeting the challenge of helping those in need of temporary accommodation is to offer them the option of staying in homes outside of Lambeth, including a small number of properties in Kent. It is important to be clear this is being done on a voluntary basis. If a resident declines the offer to move to Kent, they would not be forced to do so."

But the policy has alarmed social services chiefs. Cllr Jenny Whittle
(Con), Kent County Council's cabinet member for children's care, said:
"We are very concerned. It is very difficult to predict the pressures
but it is inevitable there will be some pressures on children's services
as well as others."