Southwark Council outlines next step in rehousing Heygate Estate residents

Southwark Council is continuing to support and work closely with the residents of the Heygate Estate whilst they are being rehoused off the estate.

During the first phase of Heygate rehousing, which includes Kingshill, Swanbourne and Wansey blocks, many tenants have been actively bidding and have either now identified new accommodation, or are likely to do so in the near future.

One hundred and twenty five residents out of the 187 residents that were registered to bid in phase 1 have already successfully bid and moved off the estate. Fourteen of the 62 remaining residents currently have active offers for their chosen properties.

However, to ensure that the council is able to rehouse all the residents in line with its timetable, the council this week is formally advising all remaining residents in phase one of its intention to use legal means if necessary.

Residents are aware of this process, but as a public body, Southwark Council is legally obliged to issue notice of seeking possession to secure tenants in phase one of the rehousing programme.

Although this is unlikely to affect the majority of residents, because of the length of time it could take to regain possession of a property, the council is required to start this process now.

The legal process to regain possession of the council’s housing stock by applying to the courts can take up to nine months from start to finish because it is designed to ensure that the council acts reasonably in asking a resident to give up their home.

Unlike in other regeneration schemes where councils have made direct offers to rehouse people, with the Heygate process we have strongly encouraged residents to bid for properties through our Homesearch system.

This has given residents more choices with their future housing and made the process less intimidating for those involved. Due to the success of the bidding to date, the number of residents we expect to make direct offers to should be well under 35 (less than 25%).

Councillor Kim Humphreys, Southwark Council’s executive member for housing, said: “We understand that this is a difficult process for Heygate tenants which is why we are working closely with all residents to make sure they receive as much support and assistance as required.

"Our highest priority is reducing stress and disruption to people living on the Heygate. And we want to do this in the safest, most efficient and least disruptive way.

“I would like to reassure all residents that taking court action is an absolute last resort. We hope that we won’t need to go down this route but in the unlikely case that we do, we need to have followed proper processes.

"If tenant have any concerns at all about this letter I would encourage them to contact their case management officer or attend the open meeting that will be scheduled before Monday August 11."

It is important to note that no court proceedings will commence until after Monday August 11, 2008. Residents in phase one who have been unsuccessful in the bidding process will be made a direct offer of suitable alternative accommodation on a secure tenancy basis.

The case management team will continue to support phase one residents to bid in order to increase their likelihood of finding their own accommodation until they are made a direct offer.

The Heygate rehousing project is well underway. Nearly 300 households have already been supported to move off the estate and into suitable alternative accommodation.

We are still on track to have all council tenants on the Heygate rehoused by September 2009.

The case management team will host an open meeting before August 11 where Heygate resents will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns with the team and representatives of local voluntary sector agencies able to provide independent legal advice on this process.