Tenants on the Raynesfield Estate, Raynes Park are facing eviction in November - with the prospect of moving far away from friends, family and local schools and losing their jobs - following Mayor Boris' decision to sell of many properties owned by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Raynesfield is currently leased to a housing association who rent it to public sector workers.
When questioned about this by Lib Dem London Assembly member Stephen Knight in September, Boris simply expressed his sympathy and said MOPAC had asked Merton Council to tell residents about support arrangements. Frankly, this is just washing his hands of the issue - these are people's homes. All boroughs have long waiting lists for social housing and Merton is no exception.
We've been working to help residents since the sell-off was first announced, and suggested that Merton Priory Circle Homes could buy the estate from the Metropolitan Police. However, they tell us they can't afford to.
Boris has a duty to increase affordable housing and reduce homelessness. His desire to sell off police residential property seems to conflict with London’s need for more housing for our key workers. And yet, his budget for building new affordable homes was underspent by over £1m in 2013-14.
I am calling on the Mayor to halt these evictions now.
Councillor Mary-Jane Jeanes
Liberal Democrat, West Barnes ward
- Send your letters to: letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
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