Private housing association, Theori, is set to rehome more than 80 families from London to Chatham as soon as next week. The former office block was marked as a potential home for asylum seekers, and it has been organised for out-of-area families to move in.
This has sparked controversy in the Medway community as people wonder why the building is not being used to help families within its own constituency.
Theori Housing Management Services is based in London and works with local authorities in providing accommodation for homeless people, however Medway council and local MP Kelly Tolhurst are voicing their issues with the scheme not being used to help locals.
In a statement by Kelly Tolhurst, she said “why isn’t there a proposal for this accommodation to be used for local people in need? Families who are either experiencing homelessness or are in temporary accommodation in Medway.
“We need more details from the operator as to why it’s not being made available for local people.”
The portfolio holder for housing and property on the Medway council, Cllr Naushabah Khan, said they were not made aware of the plans to move and house these people from London.
Tenant reviews for Theori Housing Management give a stark representation of the opinions of their residents. Dr Jon Batten wrote “My wife and I own (leasehold) a flat where the Freeholder is Theori. There are and have been various serious issues with the flats in the block, but they are almost impossible to contact and are completely unresponsive.”.
Homelessness in the southeast is a problem, with around 5,625 people homeless in Kent on average last year. 48% of those without a home were found to be children, Shelter estimates. Shelter claims that of all the people who are homeless, 73 were sleeping rough and 5,552 were living in temporary accommodation.
With the occupants beginning to move in as early as next week, locals are concerned over the strain this may put on local services.
Medway council has been contacted for a statement but there is not one given at this time.