Southwark Council has set up a new task force to tackle hundreds of empty council homes in the borough.
The temporary task force, consisting of a team of ten people working to clear a backlog of empty homes in Southwark, will work to ensure council homes spend less time vacant between tenants.
The new members of staff will be recruited for up to three months to reduce the current backlog, with the task force receiving approximately £105,000 in funding.
With more than 23,000 people on the housing waiting list and more than 4,200 households living in temporary accommodation, the council said the aim of the programme is to improve how empty properties are prepared and reduce delays.
But, as reported by The News this week, the council-owned modular homes for rough sleepers are still vacant, despite the Green-Lib Dem Joint Administration’s pledge to have them occupied “as quickly as possible”.
Speaking about the launch of the task force, Councillor Reginald Popoola, Executive Member for Council Homes, said: “We’re determined to tackle the housing crisis, and every empty council home is a home that someone desperately needs.
“In the past too many council homes have stood empty for too long. Our residents have told us this is a priority for them and we’re taking action to put that right with our new empty homes task force.”
He added: “We’re making every council home count and cutting the time it takes to get new tenants into them – helping people get the safe, secure, genuinely affordable homes they need so much.”
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Residents who believe a council home near them has been empty for too long can email [email protected] to report the issue.
How many council empty homes are available? I’m the eighties there was a scheme where tenants could move on and carry out the work themselves. Think it was Homesteading scheme. Great idea especially if you or husband had a skill that could be adapted. Think it also included.big rent reduction?