Lewisham's homeless families rehoused in empty homes

Lewisham Council is maximising its success in obtaining Empty Dwelling Management Orders – or EDMO’s - to offer a new home to a family who have been living in temporary accommodation.

A privately owned 3-bedroom 1930’s house in Catford had been empty for more than 20 years, was run-down and had fallen into a state of complete disrepair.

After serving a notice on the owner last year, indicating that the Council intended to seek an EDMO, the owner responded and applied for a grant to renovate the property, supported by the Council.

The house has now been completely renovated, including installation of a new kitchen, bathroom, central heating and roof.

The £70,000 renovation costs were helped with a grant from the South East London Housing Partnership.

The Lye family had been living in Bed & Breakfast accommodation for a number of weeks and were desperate for a permanent family home.

Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “Every borough has empty, run-down privately owned homes that are of no use to anyone. It can be a long process to get them back into use, but to be able to offer a new home to a family who have been living in temporary accommodation is very satisfying.”

Not only are new tenants, dad, Adrian Lye and his two teenage sons very happy, but so are local residents who had endured the former eyesore for many years.

Landlord, 85-year old ex-Hurricane fighter pilot and former Lewisham junior school head, Ron Howell, who owns the house, was also very pleased to hand over the keys for the tenancy to the Lyes.

Mr Howell has recently completed a housing management training course and will receive support from Lewisham Council, in managing the property.

Lewisham is leading the way in gaining EDMO's; of the thirteen EDMO’s issued in total across the country to local authorities, Lewisham has been granted five of them.