Council Housing 70 Families in 'Loophole' Accommodation

A London council is housing 70 homeless families in temporary ‘annexe’ accommodation, it has emerged. Westminster Council, which was criticised for housing families in bed and breakfasts beyond the six week legal limit in September, was accused of using a ‘loophole’ in the law by opposition councillors. It is illegal to house families in B&Bs for more than six weeks, but there is no legal limit if the accommodation is ‘self-contained’, meaning it has its own front door. There has been dispute over what constitutes ‘annexe’ accommodation – Labour councillors say they are merely bedrooms with a gas ring and a bathroom but sources close to the council say the annexes are more like studio flats. The council has so far refused to give the details of where the annexes are located.  Read more on Inside Housing.