Brent Council tells lone parents to live in Birmingham or live on the streets
Latoya Jones and her children Liarna-May, three, and Reneekay, 10, with Cllr Carol Shaw - Credit: Archant
A conservative councillor has called for Brent’s re-housing system to be changed as two lone parents face living on the streets with their children.
Yuri Gonzalez and her daughter Hayley face uncertain future after being evicted from their private accommodation and refusing the offer of a flat in Birmingham - Credit: Archant
Cllr Carol Shaw, who serves Brondesbury Park Conservatives, has called on Brent Council to house the two families claiming they face eviction ‘on a whim’.
She said: “The re-housing system needs to be changed particularly in temporary accommodation.
“At a whim, following one or two unsuitable offers of permanent accommodation, these families with young children get a final letter of ‘eviction’ notice.
“Can you imagine having had no help allegedly from their case worker and not knowing which direction to turn these young families are faced with living on the streets with their small children and becoming a statistic with a bleak future.”
Yuri Gonzalez and her 11 year-old daughter Hayley Jones were evicted from their private accommodation in January and placed in a hostel in Sudbury.
After being offered a flat in Birmingham the family were given three days to accept the move or be assessed as voluntarily homeless.
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Following media exposure the family remain in limbo as they await their fate.
Brent Council has also discharged its duty to Lotoya Jones and her two children, who have been on the housing waiting list for 11 years.
The family were evicted from their temporary accommodation in Willesden after Ms Jones turned down a two bedroom property in Neasden, despite being told she qualified for three bedrooms.
In addition the flat was offered in the same area where she experienced domestic violence in the past.
Ms Jones, a receptionist, was also offered a flat in Birmingham which she turned down.
Cllr Shaw added: “Something has gone wrong here. If they can help these people it sets a good example for Brent. They are model tenants, neither in rent arrears or displaying unsocial behaviour.
“Brent Council cannot allow this to happen.”
Cllr Margaret McLennan, Brent Council’s lead member for regeneration and housing, said: “Our main priority is to secure suitable accommodation for those who need it and to provide all the support we can.
“We offered suitable housing within the borough, which was refused. The children and young people’s service will now assess the circumstances to see if accommodation can be provided through this route.”
