Positive Action In Housing says it has volunteers ready to house those made homeless by the disaster
A Scottish charity has offered to come to the aid of people made homeless by the Grenfell Tower disaster.
However, it says its offers have been rebuffed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which has been co-ordinating a response to the tragedy.
In the wake of the devastating fire, which has claimed at least 79 lives and made more than 100 people homeless, those affected were told they would be found accommodation nearby.
However, reports have circulated that people are being relocated hundreds of miles away, while others are still living with relatives and have not been offered accommodation.
Glasgow-based Positive Action In Housing (PAIH) says it has 750 people in London on the register of its Rooms For Refugees programme. The charity says, these people are ready to take in Grenfell Tower residents too.
However, PAIH director Robina Qureshi says “institutional ineptitude” had seen their efforts blocked.
She said: “Kensington & Chelsea Borough Council is rehousing some Grenfell residents in Preston and if people refuse to go they are being told they are intentionally homeless.
"Apparently there are over 100 homeless – people shouldn't be dumped hundreds of miles away without their communities for support.
“You’re talking about very vulnerable people, who may not know their rights, or English may not be their first language or they have limited support networks. They couldn't force the council to make the building safe, how will they deal with what's to come.
“The prime minister promised an entire country they would be housed in or near their schools and GPs and communities. And that's just not happening.”
“Let those that can help, do so.”
A statement from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said the authority cannot accept any more help right now, but added: “The council would like to thank all those who have made generous donations of accommodation, food, clothing and other items in response to the fire at Grenfell Tower.
“This has been thankfully received and our priority is to distribute what we can.”
