This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-22508756
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Luton homeless put in 'condemned' Purley Centre flats | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Demolition of a "condemned" block of flats has been cancelled in Luton because the borough council needs the accommodation for homeless people. | Demolition of a "condemned" block of flats has been cancelled in Luton because the borough council needs the accommodation for homeless people. |
| The 1960s Purley Centre block in Marsh Farm is now home to 57 families. | The 1960s Purley Centre block in Marsh Farm is now home to 57 families. |
| Recently another 40 families were being housed in a hotel at a cost to the council of £50,000 a month. | Recently another 40 families were being housed in a hotel at a cost to the council of £50,000 a month. |
| The borough council is building 209 new homes and has invited private landlords to bid for a temporary accommodation contract worth £28m over four years. | The borough council is building 209 new homes and has invited private landlords to bid for a temporary accommodation contract worth £28m over four years. |
| Currently 780 homeless households are in temporary accommodation in Luton, where the council is believed to be England's biggest user of private landlords outside London. | |
| Tom Shaw, who is the councillor in charge of housing at Luton Borough Council, said bed and breakfast accommodation was not ideal for families. | Tom Shaw, who is the councillor in charge of housing at Luton Borough Council, said bed and breakfast accommodation was not ideal for families. |
| "It's not nice for the homeless families and their children whose schools may even be on the far side of town from where they are now living," he said. | |
| "About 18 months ago we looked in to working with private landlords." | "About 18 months ago we looked in to working with private landlords." |
| Green Belt limit | Green Belt limit |
| Now the council has invited landlords to tender for a contract to provide temporary accommodation. | |
| The council is also building 209 new homes - the first in the borough for two decades - but it admits 2,500 are needed to meet demand. | |
| The authority said it did not have a "disproportionate number of homeless households compared to similar boroughs of size and urbanisation". | The authority said it did not have a "disproportionate number of homeless households compared to similar boroughs of size and urbanisation". |
| "Indeed the numbers that Luton accepts as homeless is broadly similar to Bedford Borough Council, one of our partner authorities," a spokesperson said. | "Indeed the numbers that Luton accepts as homeless is broadly similar to Bedford Borough Council, one of our partner authorities," a spokesperson said. |
| "Luton is a landlocked borough, completely enclosed by either Green Belt or areas of outstanding natural beauty. | "Luton is a landlocked borough, completely enclosed by either Green Belt or areas of outstanding natural beauty. |
| "This leaves the situation that potential for growth is hindered and only small infill developments of brownfield sites present for any housing. | "This leaves the situation that potential for growth is hindered and only small infill developments of brownfield sites present for any housing. |
| "We have a larger proportion of households occupying temporary accommodation for longer periods than other authorities, thus presenting the image that we have a disproportionate number of homeless households," the spokesperson added. | "We have a larger proportion of households occupying temporary accommodation for longer periods than other authorities, thus presenting the image that we have a disproportionate number of homeless households," the spokesperson added. |