Lib Dems say 1001 Lewisham families in temporary accommodation is not acceptable (Lewisham Liberal Democrats)

Lewisham Liberal Democrats <info@lewishamlibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems say 1001 Lewisham families in temporary accommodation is not acceptable

December 10, 2011 12:10 PM
By Lewisham Lib Dems - CM / JH

Liberal Democrat Councillors have called upon Lewisham Council to address the number of families living in temporary accommodation, many of whom have to wait years for a permanent home.

Chris Maines - temporary accommodation (Lewisham Liberal Democrats - CM)

Chris Maines - 1001 families in temporary accommodation

In response to a question from Liberal Democrat Councillor Patsy Foreman, the Cabinet Member for Customer Services Cllr Susan Wise revealed that 1001 households in Lewisham are currently living in temporary accommodation. In fact, one Lewisham family has been waiting since November 2005 for a permanent home.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Chris Maines said:

"It is shocking that over 1000 people in Lewisham are living in temporary accommodation. Waits of up to six years for permanent accommodation for families with young children are simply unacceptable.

As a councillor, I regularly witness the disruptive effect that temporary accommodation can have on families. Moving frequently between different properties and locations can be incredibly destabilizing, uprooting children from their schools and isolating families from their friends and support networks.

The Government is giving Lewisham Council more powers to address this issue and the Council need use these powers to make finding these families permanent homes a top priority".