Property Appeal for Elmbridge's Homeless During the Coronavirus Crisis

Elmbridge Borough Council is making an urgent call to hoteliers, B&Bs, Airbnb and serviced apartment owners and private and social landlords to come forward to offer accommodation to house the borough’s homeless during the coronavirus crisis.

We need up to 30 self-contained studios or annexes / 1- and 2-bedroom homes across Elmbridge to accommodate rough sleepers and homeless families during the crisis. In line with Government advice, it is vital to get rough sleepers and other homeless households into suitable accommodation in order for them to self-isolate and maintain social distancing.

Councillor Roy Green, Portfolio Holder for Housing, is eager to support the borough’s homeless:

“In order to follow the government’s advice to “stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives” we need to ensure that those without a home have a safe place to stay, thereby helping themselves and the wider community to deal with the virus as best as we can. The council has been working hard with a range of local charities, including Elmbridge Rentstart and Transform Housing & Support, to arrange safe and secure accommodation and progress is being made, with half a dozen individuals being placed in accommodation today. However, there is more to do, and we are putting this request out there to providers of accommodation in the borough to step up and offer their help in this time of need. I would encourage anybody or any organisation that might be able to help to with suitable accommodation to contact us as soon as possible”.

The council will work with clients to find accommodation that is suitable for each case, as well as ensuring food and support needs are met. All businesses and individuals who provide emergency accommodation will be compensated and we hope this initiative will provide businesses which have seen a reduction in demand because of the virus with an alternative income stream.

For more information and to contact Elmbridge Borough Council’s Housing Team,

please email: rss@elmbridge.gov.uk or call 01372 474597.