Lambeth Council Wins Legal Case — But Loses Public Trust

More than 160 tenants are facing eviction after Lambeth Council reclassified homes rented via its own company, Homes for Lambeth, as temporary accommodation for homeless households. The council says it’s acting to address a 50% rise in homelessness and spiralling costs of over £100 million a year.

But for the families being served Section 21 notices, it’s a brutal blow. Many will be forced to seek help from the same council evicting them.

Last week, the High Court ruled that the council acted lawfully — but campaigners argue legality doesn’t equal justice.

Former councillor Peter Elliott called it “mind-blowing” that a local authority is displacing its own residents. HFL tenants vow to continue fighting.

Key question:
Can local authorities justify making one group homeless to help another — especially when both need support?

Policy change is urgent. Tenants should not pay the price for a broken homelessness system.