Londoners could be rehoused as far as Coventry if they lose their homes
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 6:26 pmHomeless people in one of London's richest boroughs could be sent to live almost 100 miles away in Coventry under plans revealed by the City of Westminster.
Westminster council has announced that the rise in homelessness, cuts in benefits and the plan to force local authorities to sell off social housing could lead to the relocation of homeless families.
Just three per cent of homeless families from Westminster have been relocated outside the capital, but the council says the number is likely to rise.
Westminster's cabinet member for housing, Cllr Daniel Astaire, told The Guardian that moving families outside London is inevitable.
'While we always try to provide accommodation for homeless people in Westminster, like many other boroughs of all political persuasions we have to look at identifying suitable homes beyond the city's boundaries,' he said.
Westminster's homeless families are put into priority bands, with those who need extensive care and support.
Families with children nearing key exams in local schools and those with jobs in Westminster qualify for temporary accommodation elsewhere in Greater London.
All others qualify for band three, and are offered private rentals in south-east England and further.
Areas in the West Midlands, including Coventry, were identified by the council as the best opportunities, but housing is 'limited even in these areas'.
Coventry, which sits just outside Birmingham, is 96 miles from Westminster.
There are currently 14,000 families in Coventry on the council's waiting list.
