Havering eyes Basildon’s Eastgate House for housing despite past safety issues and financial hurdles. Urgency rises amid a housing crisis.
Housing is urgently needed, a council member said. Havering wants to be ready for housing issues. Last year, the council spent £6.1 million extra on housing. They expect a £75 million budget shortfall soon.
Basildon previously tried housing there, but their attempts did not work out. There were big safety problems with the building layout. The council learned about this. Planning issues also existed, a letter stated.
Overcoming those would take time and money. This would make the project less financially feasible. Havering contacted Basildon about the building.
Havering will consider the option, however, they need planning permission first. A company will convert the building at no cost. The National Housing Group will handle it. After the work, a ten-year lease starts.
The council will house residents there then. Havering tries to house people locally, a leader said. They prefer not to move people far away. Council members want their work to be productive.
Havering faces a housing crisis, one member explained. Evictions cause more homelessness. Landlords sell due to rising costs. Social housing is scarce, and the council has money problems too.
New, cheap temporary housing is important. A similar plan exists for Chesham House. Chesham House in Romford will have 55 units. Work there started last year, and it should open in early 2026.
Concerns arose about that housing, too, with some worried it would be poor quality.