A Labour-controlled London council left over a hundred families without support after they refused to relocate outside of their borough last year, as revealed by the Observer. Information obtained through Freedom of Information requests from around 80% of English councils shows that a total of 615 households, who declined offers of housing outside of their local area, had the councils end their legal duties to them in 2024. However, this national figure is heavily influenced by a single council’s actions.
Enfield, run by Labour, accounted for 115 of these cases, the highest number nationwide, which amounts to nearly a fifth of all such cases across England. This issue arises as the same council is trying to purchase housing around Liverpool for the purpose of relocating homeless families there.
Councils are legally obligated to provide support and housing for homeless individuals, but they can terminate these responsibilities if a household refuses an offer considered “reasonable.” Though the housing provided must be affordable, councils have flexibility regarding locations, which has led to a significant number of homeless individuals being relocated across the country due to the housing affordability crisis in densely populated areas like London.
Enfield’s approach has been particularly aggressive. A report from Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth last year found that 94% of Enfield council’s offers of private rented housing to homeless individuals in 2023 were outside the capital, with more than half of these offers being in the North East. As a result, three-quarters of the offered housing options were rejected, marking the highest refusal rate among London councils. Enfield-based housing and union activist Paul Kershaw commented that this practice is devastating for those affected, who are often forced to move away from their social networks and familiar environments.
The increasing costs of temporary accommodations for homeless individuals have strained Enfield’s finances, prompting a tighter stance from the council. Duane Dyer, the housing improvement director of Enfield council, announced at a September 2023 meeting that there would be less flexibility in offering alternative housing options to homeless households, indicating a shift toward a harder policy stance.
Matt Burn of the campaign group Better Homes Enfield expressed horror at the council’s approach, attributing the homelessness issue largely to the housing benefit cap, which leaves many unable to afford private rents. The consequences often lead to eviction notices, resulting in individuals presenting themselves as at risk of homelessness to the council.
The problem is exacerbated by inner London boroughs, which face their housing crises, relocating their homeless residents to Enfield, driving up rents and utilizing housing stock that might have been reserved for Enfield’s own homeless population. Enfield itself has not built enough social housing; its regeneration project initially failed to include socially rented homes, though the council stated this position has since changed.
In response to the accusations, an Enfield council spokesperson noted their efforts to secure long-term and stable housing for residents by considering buying properties in more affordable areas. They emphasized ongoing efforts to find housing closer to Enfield when possible and their commitment to building homes in collaboration with the government to address their housing needs.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/15/labour-enfield-homeless-council-housing
