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.
