London Fire: Grenfell Tower thread five

[RhythmAndStealth]

RIP

Five victims officially named
At least 79 victims expected, possibly more
Many displaced and struggling

To all those affected and all those helping

Thread four
Thread three
Thread three contains links to threads one and two.

I keep forgetting to mention the support group I'm trying to set up

I imagine it's quite hard to tall about anything so personally traumatic and remember everything you wanted to say!

You were very good.

Thank you Hairy - I never thought I'd still be talking about this so long after.

@HelenaDove we share the same local paper!
I also read with interest about cleverly back pedalling re his vote.

The thread in Chat about the tragedy (speculating in the "real" number of dead) has made me feel nauseous. So many ghouls who seem to enjoy the drama and speculation.

@cavemum

Me too, I am going to hide it; it's making me feel sick hearing how people can say the emergency services are involved in a cover up. I am actually shaking.

Luxury flats acquired to house Grenfell residents:

Block acquired for Grenfell fire survivors
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40357280

I wonder if it was acquired at the Governments request, or if the owners of the block offered it first .

Yes, that's a good point. Also, how is a 68 flat block completely empty? Unless it's a new build? I doubt they will furnished

It is a brand new build barry.

Seems to be good news on the face of it.

Bit more of expansion of the story:

"Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire are to be rehomed in a luxury housing development in the heart of Kensington, the government has said.

Sixty-eight one and two-bedroom flats have been acquired at the Kensington Row development, it added.

The apartments are "newly-built social housing" in a complex where the price of private homes starts at £1.5m.

At least 79 people died and many more were left homeless after fire engulfed the west London tower block a week ago."

So they're already intended as social housing, so I doubt they are "luxury" flats. They certainly won't be kitted out like the £1.5million flats. Makes the headline a bit disingenuous.

Perhaps more flats are being given over to social housing than originally intended. That was my first thought on reading the wording.

Another article suggested they were in a luxury complex with swimming pool, gym, spa etc, on the high street. Is that not the case then?

Sounds like the complex has a pool/gym/spa but I doubt the social housing tenants will have access to them.

Monkey
Thanks I will. I would like to be misinformed on this

I know this development. Some flats £13m+. Residents will have access to everything. Cheapest flat £1.5m. Fully furnished. Probably going to see more of this - luxury developments being given over to social housing due to massive over supply. Happened in Northern Ireland after last crash. And why not?

Meaculpa, agreed.

I hope they will have access to all available facilities. Fingers this is as good as it seems. The sooner the residents can begin to rebuild their lives the better.

Private sale to City of London Corp - l understand that these were not ear-marked for social housing so social tenants should have all same benefits as other private owners. It's one of the best and exclusive locations in Kensington.

Fingers crossed I meant!

presume what this means is that unsold flats in the block will go to Grenfell residents which is excellent news. Presume temporary though.

I wonder if it's another one owned by Cadogan, in which case there's plenty flipping spare!!

I really hope there will be a central trust fund where all the various funds donated will be managed fairly and distributed directly to the survivors and their families. They should, after what they've been through at least have the security of a home for life in the borough.

No it's permanent - no different from any other social housing contract. City of London are the owners. Tenants will have a right to buy at a substantial discount in due course which will give further security. Management fees will be high though due to the luxury facilities. Tenants won't have to pay that though if they remain social tenants - it would only be if they bought.

That's good. I'm glad it's not a case of the benevolent overlords putting the "little folk" in temporary luxury accommodation before moving them back to shitty, I'll-maintained housing. That would be a real kick in the teeth for the residents.

These flats are not being purchased, they were built for social housing as part of the council planning on this site they are getting them ready before the due date to house the families from the fire.
They are certainly not part of the unsold flats in that development.

I was just coming on to link the same article. I too hope its their permanent home.

Will keep an eye on this though.

IMO the pressure of the public and social media has contributed to this excellent decision.

This is the least the Grenfell residents deserve after all they have been thorough both before and after the fire as well as the fire itself.

They will still need money to live on while they process and come to terms with what has happened and what they have witnessed.

KCTMO and RBKC still need to be thoroughly investigated for what they have done ,the catalogue of failings and the way the tenants were treated. Many lives were lost and there is no way Rydon should even be in the frame for a £65 million contract.

Sorry...........i know im preaching to the converted here.