More than 1,000 people have signed MyLondon's housing petition, which urges the UK Government to prohibit an unfair housing practice used by councils. The rule allows local authorities to classify someone as 'intentionally homeless' if they decline a housing offer, even if the property is located hundreds of miles away from their current residence.
The Issue of Long-Distance Housing Offers
London boroughs frequently make long-distance housing offers due to the capital's severe housing shortage and lower rental prices in other parts of England. This practice has forced many families to choose between accepting a distant home or being left homeless without support.
Through MyLondon's Broken Homes campaign, numerous cases have been reported where Londoners were told they must accept a long-distance offer—whether temporary or permanent—or the council would discharge its legal duty to house them, leaving them homeless and without assistance.
Impact on Families
Families moved to temporary accommodation in cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, and Middlesbrough often face significant hardships. They must continue paying council rent but frequently lose their local jobs and struggle to find work in the new location. The move also separates them from their support networks, leaving them isolated in unfamiliar areas.
For example, Uxbridge mum Soheila Serkani, 45, faced a 275-mile move to Hartlepool. If she had accepted, she would have become unemployed, highlighting the difficult choices families must make.
The Petition's Goal
The petition calls on the UK Government to 'ban councils from discharging their housing duty if a person refuses a long-distance offer.' It closes on June 3, and supporters are urged to sign before the deadline.
While keeping individuals in their home borough is increasingly challenging due to the housing crisis, councils exploiting cheaper housing in regions like the North East forces people to move hundreds of miles. The petition argues that such offers should be a choice, not an ultimatum that could lead to sofa surfing or homelessness.
Broader Context
The housing crisis has reached unprecedented levels in London. Just this month, the Government banned landlords from using 'no fault' evictions. However, more action is needed to address the root causes and ensure fair treatment for vulnerable families.
MyLondon's Broken Homes project continues to highlight various aspects of the crisis, from hotels full of homeless families and pest-ridden tower blocks to newbuild failures and the displacement of London's homeless to towns outside the city.
