“Help us to change lives” - Council Leader calls on private landlords to help house those in need
There is a need in Kingston for more affordable homes for local people, with many currently unable to afford to rent or buy in the borough.
Alongside this, the council is steadfast in its commitment to provide a sanctuary to those fleeing crises across the world, such as in Afghanistan.
To ensure we can provide suitable housing to all of these groups, Councillor Andreas Kirsch, the Leader of Kingston Council, has put out a rallying cry to private landlords in Kingston.
Guaranteed income is available through these schemes, as well as incentives.
Councillor Andreas Kirsch said:
“We are in the midst of a housing crisis - in Kingston there are over 900 households living in temporary accommodation and 3,700 on our housing register for social housing.
“Having a secure and comfortable home is something everyone should expect. It is our job to make this a reality for all Kingston residents, and we are doing all that we can to ensure this - such as through building our first new council homes in a generation, and through developing a new innovative approach to rough sleeping. But we need your help.
“Across Kingston, there are hundreds of empty privately owned properties which we believe can be utilised to both support the landlord, and to provide much-needed accommodation.
“The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has a long history of stepping up when there are people in need, and in recent years we have had many generous landlords let out their properties through our resettlement schemes, which recently supported Syrian refugees, and our Private Leasing Schemes, for those in housing need in the borough.
“So, if you are a landlord in Kingston with a property that is empty or soon to be empty, please come forward.
“Guaranteed income for your property is available through these schemes, as well as incentives to sign up. More than that, though, you will be contributing to our proud collective history as an inclusive borough - and you will be changing a family’s life.”