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Lewisham Council has taken a proactive step to alleviate the borough\u2019s housing crisis by leasing 35 vacant flats on New Cross Road for homeless families, amidst ongoing demand for affordable homes and new developments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Lewisham Council has taken a significant step to address the borough\u2019s housing crisis by securing a long-term lease for a block of 35 empty flats on New Cross Road, owned by the housing association L&Q, to be used as temporary accommodation for homeless families. The decision, formalised by the council\u2019s Cabinet in late October, reflects ongoing pressure on the council\u2019s housing services, with over 2,500 households currently in temporary housing across the borough. Of these, more than 1,100 are housed in costly nightly-paid accommodations, highlighting the unsustainable nature of current arrangements.<\/p>\n
The block at 485 New Cross Road comprises 23 two-bedroom flats, 11 one-bedroom flats, and a single three-bedroom flat, all of which were vacant prior to the council\u2019s intervention. According to Lewisham\u2019s Cabinet Member for Better Homes, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness, Will Cooper, the council’s housing department is proactively working to secure more cost-effective and suitable accommodation for families facing the hardships of temporary housing. He emphasised the profound human impact of prolonged stays in temporary accommodation, which often extend beyond the usual six months to four or five years for many families. Cooper underscored the council\u2019s commitment to doing everything possible to reduce these numbers and provide safer, more stable housing options.<\/p>\n
Before the lease can be finalised, Lewisham Homes will conduct thorough inspections of the flats, ensuring they meet necessary building and fire safety standards as well as criteria for temporary accommodation. While the council approved the initial leasing plans publicly, further discussion on operational and financial details took place in private, signalling a cautious but determined approach to managing the complex challenges of temporary housing stock.<\/p>\n
This move comes in the context of a broader housing strategy in Lewisham, where the council is actively pursuing new social housing developments to combat the crisis. For instance, at 52-54 New Cross Road, the council acquired and transformed a housing development into 35 social homes, designed with inclusivity in mind, including wheelchair accessibility and green spaces. Managed by Lewisham Homes, this initiative aims to provide long-term housing solutions for families on waiting lists, with construction expected to complete by 2024.<\/p>\n
Other planned and ongoing developments in the area, such as the Besson Street project with 324 homes including 35% affordable housing, and nearby New Cross Road projects, indicate a concerted effort to increase the supply of social and affordable housing in the borough. Despite these efforts, the borough still faces challenges with underused properties, as historical examples like the Deptford flats at the corner of New Cross Road and Watson\u2019s Street show that some newly developed apartments remain empty, exacerbating concerns amidst the housing shortage.<\/p>\n
Lewisham\u2019s strategies reflect the dual pressures of managing existing temporary accommodation demand while investing in new, permanent affordable housing to alleviate the long-term housing crisis. With nearly 3,000 families in temporary accommodation and over 11,000 on the waiting list, the council\u2019s multi-pronged approach seeks to balance immediate needs with sustainable development, aiming to provide residents with safer and more secure homes.<\/p>\n