Nearly 50 homes 'badly damaged' as Haringey supports homeless after riots

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Some 29 people have been placed into emergency accommodation by Haringey Council following rioting in Tottenham over the weekend.

The council said it's working 'around the clock' to provide support for people displaced by damage to their homes.

It's estimated that some 45 residential properties have been "badly damaged" by fire - putting the cost of repairs somewhere beteen £7-9 million.

The council set up an emergency shelter over the weekend for those homeless, at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre in Philip Lane, South Tottenham.

Donations of clothes made by local church groups and residents are being received at Apex House opposite Seven Sisters Tube station, and are available for collection by those in need.

It's understood that offers of accommodation have also been made by landlords.

Among the homes badly damaged are 26 of Metropolitan Housing Trust's (MHT) leaseholder homes in River Heights, Tottenham, which were set alight and have been badly damaged following the riots.

All residents were safely evacuated and have been placed in temporary accommodation, MHT said.

Lara Oyedele, CEO of Odu-Dua Housing Association, lives in Tottenham. She said yesterday how she was "close to crying" after the devastation happened just yards away from her home.

Following the third night of rioting last night, more than 30 households in Croydon will also need to be re-housed after flats were set on fire.

A spokesperson said: "25 people were placed in hotels last night. Our current count is that there are still 17 households remaining to be placed in temporary accommodation.

 "We expect this figure to reduce as those affected find out more about their homes, and/or make alternative arrangements with friends and relatives."