Over 160 temporary homes guaranteed for Hackney’s homeless for next five years
More than 160 temporary homes have been secured for homeless people in Hackney over the next five years in a new agreement set to be finalised.
Hackney’s council has paired up with privately owned Metropolitan and neighbouring St Peter Way hostels on a joint lease to provide accommodation for 163 households.
Owners of the hostels, Blue Chip Trading Ltd and Hezi Zakai, will also invest in refurbishment works over the next two years to bring 110 units in the Metropolitan hostel up to modern standards.
Under the agreement the owners will upgrade ensuites and kitchenettes, provide laundry facilities and wi-fi, improve the energy efficiency of units and create units suitable for disabled people.
Hackney Council’s Group Director for Finance and Corporate Resources, Ian Williams, said: ‘When finalised this agreement will mean 163 homeless households will be able to stay in the borough in secure accommodation rather than having to move away from their families, schools and wider support networks at a very vulnerable time of their lives.
‘It will also mean the quality of the temporary accommodation available at the Metropolitan will be enhanced at no cost to the Council.
‘This in turn will help us continue our efforts to improve the quality and range of temporary accommodation in the borough while we work to increase the supply of permanent genuinely affordable homes in Hackney.’
In the midst of a housing crisis, Hackney Council has seen a 19% increase over the last four years in the number of people on the brink of homelessness approaching the council asking for help.
Currently, 3,000 households in the area are in temporary accommodation, as Hackney owns the largest temporary accommodation stock in London.
However, this is still not enough to meet demand and many people are having to be offered homes outside of the borough.
In January, 1,100 households were placed outside the borough compared to 293 in September 2014.
Photo by Nick Fewings