Grenfell Housing Acquisitions Spark Reassessment in Kensington and Chelsea
In Kensington & Chelsea, where the echoes of the Grenfell tragedy are still deeply felt, a quiet but significant development has emerged. The council has acknowledged that it took “some risks” with Grenfell housing when purchasing nearly 300 homes for survivors in the aftermath of the fire. Fourteen of those properties, now deemed too unsafe or structurally unsuitable for social rent, are set to be sold.
At the time, the council was under immense pressure to act quickly. Families displaced by the fire needed housing urgently, and the priority was speed. That urgency, however, meant that some properties were bought without full surveys. Over time, it became clear that a number of these homes were unfit for long-term use. From awkward layouts and inadequate fire escapes to legal entanglements around freeholds, problems started to stack up.
In many cases, the council couldn’t bring the homes up to the required safety and living standards, either because of restrictive leaseholds, high renovation costs, or unresolved structural issues. Some were never occupied at all. For others, residents were moved again when the problems came to light.
Emma O’Connor, a Grenfell survivor, shared how rushed decision-making is still causing harm. “Rush is the biggest red flag,” she said. “You cannot rush fire safety. People’s lives mean more than money.” It’s a sentiment that resonates locally and safety and dignity are non-negotiables in a borough still rebuilding trust.
According to guidance on housing health and safety standards in the UK, all residential properties must meet basic criteria for safety, repair and liveability before they can be let, something many of the Grenfell-acquired homes reportedly failed to achieve.
The decision to sell the 14 homes hasn’t been taken lightly. The council has confirmed the funds will be reinvested into local social housing, a move that, if delivered with care, could help repair some of the broken confidence. There’s also acknowledgment now that some of the risks taken in 2017 would not be repeated today under different circumstances.
Industry experts have called for stronger regulation and better transparency in property transactions. More thorough checks by property agents, they argue, could have made a difference, showing that flaws in the housing market, not just in decision-making, also played a role.
The council maintains that its intention was always to act in the best interest of displaced residents and that, in hindsight, more rigorous surveys might have flagged many of the now-known issues. A spokesperson said the council would continue to aim for the highest standards in social housing and that no occupied properties were ever deemed unsafe.
With £60,000 allocated per property from grant funding, those proceeds will now go back into the housing pot. The council insists that this isn’t a case of walking away but it’s about redirecting funds where they can do the most good.
In Kensington & Chelsea, where every square foot of housing matters, this is a moment to reflect, but also one to move forward. If the money from these sales genuinely goes back into homes that are safe, suitable and available sooner, then perhaps something positive can still come out of a difficult chapter.
For more updates on housing in Kensington and Chelsea and further insights, visit EyeOnLondon Kensinton & Chelsea. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.
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