Family forced to live cramped lifestyle
THOUSANDS of military homes are standing empty while families are struggling in cramped properties just streets away.
Defence Minister Derek Twigg last night admitted around 12,000 homes for troops and their families were left vacant despite intense pressure for low-cost housing.
In Newquay, Cornwall, six people spanning three generations of the same family are squeezed into a two-bedroom house.
Emma and Steve Stroud live with their two young daughters Alisha, three, and Alyx, 18 months, and Emma's parents Lynn and John Roberts in Dale Road.
But in nearby Wheatfield Crescent, MoD properties remain empty.
Local politicians branded the situation a "housing scandal".
Mrs Stroud said: "My husband and I are sharing the same room as our two young daughters and my mum is disabled.
"As you can imagine, it is all a bit too close for comfort in a little house.
"It seems silly that there are empty homes just five minutes around the corner."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Willie Rennie has now vowed to challenge the Government about the problem.
He said: "If the homes aren't needed for defence personnel any more, they should be released to the local authority to help meet the clear housing need in the area.
"We need to see more joined-up working."
The issue was first raised by Liberal Democrat campaigner and parliamentary candidate Stephen Gilbert. He said it was "totally unacceptable the MoD continues to keep scores of empty properties in Newquay".
MoD homes are understood to be vacant in Treloggan, St Columb Minor and St Eval.
But Mr Twigg said the Government remained committed to "providing the highest standard of accommodation for our armed forces and their families".
He added: "In Britain, we deal with over 15,000 property moves every year.
"Some properties need to remain vacant so we have sufficient accommodation for personnel when they return from the front line and to absorb relocation of personnel as a result of rebasing.
"The vast majority of our vacant properties are vacant for a short time so that we have homes available immediately for our people when they need them."
In the last year, the number of void properties had been reduced by more than 1,000 but still stood at around 12,000, he added.
6 Comments
by louise seed, cornwall
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 9:39AM
“i know the people in question and know of their circumstances they had one of their children before moving in with their parents and the other child was a surprise. there was medical as was told having children would be difficult. due to serious medical problems the question of more children was taken from my friend. her husband does work and they have done this to highlight this situation that others are in also which according to stitistics is over 1,900.”
by Sarah Burns, Over the rainbow
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 8:11AM
“Maybe it would be a good idea to think about wher eyou are going to liveBEFORE bringing kids into the world. Just a thought.”
by James, Cornwall
Monday, September 15 2008, 9:08AM
“Well said Eddie and sharon. Nice to read a bit of sense and fact for a change.”
by sharon, cornwall
Sunday, September 14 2008, 3:55PM
“why is it people think the council allways owes them??? i tell you what we done when we moved to cornwall we lived with my parents for 6 months saved for a deposit then rented a private house, its not that hard to do and we got half the rent back each week in housing benefit so was paying exactly the same as if we were in a council house,so get off ya bottoms and move out and give your parents there much needed space !”
by trisha, cornwall
Sunday, September 14 2008, 1:58PM
“we are in great need houses for people forced to live in over crouded propertys, the mod houses are standing doing nothing, so yes they should be used to house people, i am lucky i have a 3 bedroom house and i dont need to scream at my councle for a house to live in, but lots of people are living in very bad situations and need houses urgently, so yes put people in these houses and give them a chance to have a normal life with there familys”
by Eddie, Camelford
Sunday, September 14 2008, 11:24AM
“It is a double-edged sword. Regrettably you will always have empty housing operated by and for the MoD. The problem is that people who are not (or have never) serving do not understand the implications of moving individuals and their families around the world. There will always be a need for a number of transit accommodations required for this purpose (postings in/out to units and bases, sick or injured who need family rehabilitation etc). I understand this but many do not. If it was explained properly to those who think it is not right to have empty MoD property, then I believe it would be more readily accepted.”