First new homes secured for Grenfell Tower victims

The government has acquired the first set of permanent new homes to relocate residents affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that the government has acquired the first tranche of new homes to rehouse the Grenfell Tower fire victims.

The 68 flats are newly built social housing and form part of the Kensington Row development in Kensington and Chelsea.

Work is ongoing to match the Grenfell Tower residents to suitable housing. The expectation is that the new properties will be offered as one of the options to permanently house those affected.

Javid said: “The residents of Grenfell Tower have been through some of the most harrowing and traumatic experiences imaginable and it is our duty to support them. Our priority is to get everyone who has lost their home permanently rehoused locally as soon as possible, so that they can begin to rebuild their lives. The government will continue to do everything we can as fast as we can to support those affected by this terrible tragedy.”

More than 110 housing needs assessments have been completed to date. Extra construction staff and working hour restrictions will help to fast-track completion of the development to meet the increased demand in the area. The government has also provided funding to fit out the flats to ensure they are ready sooner.

The new housing is expected to be completed by the end of July. It will be a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom flats across 2 blocks. The Department for Communities and Local Government has also already committed to finding accommodation in the local area for victims within a maximum of 3 weeks.