Living Arrangements (Temporary & Permanent)

New moves

Rationale for the new approach to accommodation for households relocated from Stratford Halo

For Amber Court residents, you will remain in your current accommodation until you return home.

For Ruby and Opal court residents, our current understanding is that remediation work is not tracking to the timelines that we previously shared. To give you more security we would like to move residents from a serviced apartment into longer-term accommodation until August/September 2027.

For Sapphire Court it is still unclear what the remediation plan and timeframe might be due to the complexities of the building, but we believe it will extend beyond the initial timeframe given of 2028. Given the length of time you’ll be away from Stratford Halo,  staying in a serviced apartment isn’t a viable option.  So, we will now be looking to find longer-term housing solutions, either for you to remain in until you can return home to Stratford Halo, or for a permanent move should you decide that is the best option for you and your household. We aim to support you in regaining a lifestyle and living environment that closely reflects what you had at Stratford Halo.

If you are a leaseholder going through the buyback process or wish to consider this option, please talk to us about what this means for you.

Can I stay where I am?

We recognise that moving can be unsettling, and some residents may prefer to remain in their current accommodation. However, as the work needed at Stratford Halo is now expected to require a temporary move of at least a year for Ruby and Opal residents, and significantly longer for Sapphire residents, we believe it is important to provide a stable and secure longer-term housing arrangement. Our goal is to help residents establish a home where they can continue their normal daily lives, maintain their independence, and enjoy a living environment that is as close as possible to what they had at Stratford Halo. We must also ensure that, as a not-for-profit organisation, we use our resources responsibly so that we can continue to provide the best support and services for all our residents.

For some of you, staying where you are may be the right solution. For others, you may remain in your current accommodation for now while we work together to find a home that best supports you. 

Reasons for new approach for your accommodation

Our priority remains your safety, wellbeing and comfort, and we recognise how difficult and disruptive it has been to be away from your home for such a long period. We also have a duty to you and all our other residents across London to make best use of our resources as a not-for-profit charitable organisation.

The main reason we are looking at longer-term housing options is that many residents are now expected to be living away from Stratford Halo for a considerable time. For Ruby and Opal residents, this is likely to be at least a year, and for Sapphire residents it is expected to be much longer. Since relocations started, we have been funding many serviced accommodation bookings, some of which cost thousands of pounds per week – and this is not something we can sustain in the longer term. We also believe it is important that residents can settle into a home where they can feel secure, establish routines and continue living as independently as possible, rather than remaining in temporary accommodation indefinitely.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we also have a responsibility to use our resources wisely and ensure we remain financially sustainable. This enables us to continue providing high-quality homes and services, while also funding the essential remediation work needed at Stratford Halo. Financial considerations are therefore part of our decision-making, but they are not the sole reason for exploring moves.

Any decisions about future accommodation will be made on an individual basis, considering your needs, and circumstances, with the aim of finding a home that is right for you in the longer term.

Why are you proposing moving me from a serviced apartment, when this is where you found for me to live originally?

A serviced apartment is a fully furnished private flat that includes services such as housekeeping, utilities, and maintenance, all in one price. They are let on short-term agreements, more akin to a hotel booking and can be ended at short notice by the provider or landlord. They don’t offer the security you should have for the medium to longer term

What are you doing to minimise disruption?

We told you previously we want to minimise residents having to move multiple times and this is still the case. However, it is important we consider and respond to any changes to the building circumstances and remediation plans and the impact this has on you.  

We want to be open and transparent with you about this and as we now know you will not be returning home for a much longer period, we need to look at options to move you somewhere more suitable for the long term.

What’s available for me to move into?

We are working with other providers to help secure longer-term licenses within blocks in Stratford, as well as our own stock. For those that move to a property provided by a third-party, your tenancy at Stratford Halo will remain in place and you will still be eligible for a permanent move at a later date. We want to work with you to ensure your next home meets the needs of your household.  

If you would like to engage with the permanent move process, we will discuss this directly with you and talk you through the process. 

If my accommodation is provided by a third-party, can I stay there permanently?

No, as NHG do not own these properties it is not possible for us to move you there permanently. If you have not completed a permanent move before the completion of the remediation works, you will return to your original property. 

What are the next steps and timeframe?

We will aim to identify a suitable long-term home for you as quickly as possible. Some residents may move sooner than others, particularly where current accommodation arrangements are coming to an end.

We will discuss options with each resident individually to ensure we fully understand your needs and can support you to move and settle into your new home at the right time.

Wherever possible, we want to avoid asking residents to move during December, given the disruption many experienced at that time last year. If a move has not taken place before December, we will work with you to plan for it from January 2027 onwards.

Allocating new homes fairly

Will I be able to stay in the local area?

We know many of you have local ties, whether that is work, school or support networks, and we will work with you to make sure your needs are met. But the reality is that demand in Newham, and Stratford in particular, is incredibly high so if you’re able to move further afield, then we will have more access to available homes and allow your family to be settled in sooner.

What are the options for moving somewhere else?

If you are interested in moving to a specific alternative area close to family or other connections, then please let your local officer know so we can get that recorded and start offering you a wider range of properties.

Temporary moves

How long do you expect residents to be in temporary accommodation before we can return? 

There will need to be further investigations of the building and then any resulting remediation work will need to take place. While we do not yet have a fixed timeline, we are working with the structural engineers and our third-party advisers to establish this as soon as possible and begin work. Temporary alternative accommodation is being extended to 2027, to provide you with reassurance and stability.

Permanent moves 

What is a permanent move?

A permanent move is when you move to another property and sign a new, permanent, tenancy agreement. In doing this, your tenancy at Stratford Halo will come to an end. This may be with NHG or another registered provider.

It differs from the temporary moves, sometimes called decants or relocations, that many of you have made to non-permanent accommodation in which your original tenancy remains in place. 

Who is prioritised for a permanent move?

We have developed a new lettings plan for Stratford Halo residents impacted by the relocation. You can read our lettings plan here. 

If you have engaged in the permanent move process, we will prioritise you based on the information you have given us, and in line with criteria set out in the policy.

As suitable homes become available, they will be offered based on the needs of the household.

How do I qualify for a permanent move to another home? What will I be offered and where?

All general needs residents, also known as social tenants, are eligible for a permanent move. If you do wish to move to another home on a permanent basis, please talk to us about your household needs and which areas you would consider moving to. Your local officer will help you with the forms and let you know which documents you need to provide to support the transfer.

We’ll use this information to help find you suitable homes and will discuss these options with you. You are also able to bid for a suitable home on Locata and in line with our commitment to Stratford Halo residents you have been given higher priority.

The wider your area of choice, the greater the opportunity to move more quickly. 

Where can I find more information on the lettings plan for Stratford Halo residents?

This lettings plan has been set up to help set clear guidelines for residents on the criteria for moving permanently and ensure you have the highest priority. The plan also ensures we give priority to those who are impacted more by not being in a permanent home. You can read the full lettings plan here.

Please contact your local officer with any questions.

For those who want to move permanently rather than stay in temporary accommodation, how long will that take? 

Where households want to make a fresh start away from Stratford Halo, we want to support you. For leaseholders we are providing an enhanced buyback offer, and for tenants we can look at transfers to homes we own and manage, or in some cases helping you find a home with an alternative landlord. Make sure you speak to your local officer if you are keen to move permanently, as they will support you in getting all necessary paperwork in place.

The more flexible you are able to be, both in terms of location and your “must haves”, the greater the availability of homes will be, but we do recognise that many of you have ties to Stratford, whether that is school, work, family or support networks. If you need to remain in the area we will continue to provide all the help we can, but we need to be clear that that you are very likely to be waiting longer as your options are more limited. 

Is permanent rehousing available and can we move outside the borough of Newham, but remain in London?

If you would prefer to move permanently, our team are happy to speak to you about your options. Given the huge demand on housing in Stratford and Newham, it is likely to be far quicker to find you an alternative permanent home should you have the flexibility to move further afield.

If I am not comfortable moving in with temporary propping can I get a permanent move?

If you feel you do not wish to move back home under any circumstances, please make sure you speak to your local officer or one of the team in the resident hub so we can explore every option with you, including permanent moves. These may be difficult to arrange, but we want to work with you to explore every option that may work for you.

Access to your home

Find our more about the chaperone service and access to homes, and post and deliveries in the day-to-day practicalities section.

Can you help with moving / packing?

We will pay for professional removal firms to support you with moving. In advance they will either be able to provide you with storage boxes so you can pack yourself, or pack for you. 

Will our belongings be put into storage?

We are looking into the need and the viability of providing storage for you while you don’t have access to your home and at other times, and we will come back to you once we have an agreed proposal. With the chaperone service in operation, some of you may feel this is no longer required.

However, we know that many of you will still be interested in the potential of storage for your belongings even with the chaperone service in operation. We are reviewing what we can do on storage, and although we don’t have all the answers at the moment we will come back to you with some next steps as soon as we can. Please use the chaperone service to collect necessities, valuables or anything with sentimental value. We acknowledge you can’t take everything with you, so please speak to us about your specific needs.

How can we get large items out of our homes? Will you provide storage? 

At the moment, the movement of large items has to be restricted so people can only take what they can carry in their arms. However, we are currently exploring whether we might be able to secure access to a storage facility, which would allow residents unrestricted access to their possessions. We will update you as soon as we can.

In some flats, all furniture will need to be removed to allow for intrusive investigations and in those cases we will be providing storage.

Will contractors be entering our homes and how will our goods be safeguarded if so?

Access to some homes may be required to continue the investigations and formulate a remediation plan, but contractors will not enter your home without your knowledge. If contractors need to enter your home, we will work with you to ensure the necessary measures are taken to safeguard your home and possessions.  

Your rights and responsibilities

What are my rights as a tenant while I am away from home?

Your rights and obligations continue as per your tenancy agreement throughout the time you are temporarily moved from your home, subject to the provisions within our Relocation (Decant) Policy.

Who is responsible for our belongings while we are relocated from our homes?

You remain responsible for the contents of your home even though you are not living there. Since leaving your home it should be secure and no one can access it. If we need to access it to undertake surveys we will liaise with you direct on arrangements.

For those that are able to access their homes with chaperones, it would be helpful to take timed and dated photos of remaining possessions in case you need to rely on these should something unforeseen occur resulting in damage. In the unlikely event of any loss/damage to your belongings whilst they remain in your permanent home, we will consider what compensation we can offer depending on the exact circumstances and on the evidence of loss provided. We will also consider the impact on your remaining possessions as part of our management plan for securing the vacant buildings and will let you know what our approach is when it is finalised.

Right to return

Will I still have the right to return if I move elsewhere?

For Amber, Ruby and Opal Court residents, you will be returning to your home in Stratford Halo.

For Sapphire Court, this is still unknown, however if it is possible for you to return to live in Stratford Halo, we would like to support you to do so where possible. Please let your local officer know if this would be your preference. 

Will all building work be complete when I return?

We were asked this previously and confirmed work to buildings in Amber, Ruby and Opal Court will be complete before residents return. This is still our aim, but we want to be clear that for the wider estate there will be ongoing work at neighbouring buildings for a significant period of time. We will aim to minimise any impact to residents living on the estate but need to be clear there will be some disruption. 

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