Redbridge (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Redbridge Council intensifies anti-fraud measures in temporary housing to ensure fair allocation and protect accommodation for those in genuine need.
Since commencing a targeted operation in November 2023, the Council’s Counter-fraud Team has carried out more than 1000 visits to over 600 homes.
By means of proactive, in-person inspections, the team has successfully located and retrieved forty-three units that were not being utilized as planned, making them available to those who truly require housing assistance.
The project is a component of a larger initiative to update procedures in order to meet the rising demand for short-term housing.
Redbridge is working harder to ensure that the few resources are used efficiently and equitably as the number of households on the Council’s waiting lists rises.
Cllr Saima Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said:
“Redbridge, like the rest of London, is facing a housing crisis and with more people than ever relying on us for support, we need to make every home count. By taking a more proactive approach, we’ve recovered dozens of properties for people in genuine need.
This work is about fairness and ensuring that temporary accommodation goes to those who truly need it. This means any attempts to misuse the system, we will take action.”
In order to better detect possible fraud, the Redbridge Council has also tightened checks and is moving toward more in-person verification. The waiting list is getting smaller thanks to this continuous effort, which also makes it possible to allocate council funds more effectively.
How effective has Redbridge’s crackdown been in reducing housing fraud risks?
Redbridge Council’s crackdown on housing fraud has been notably effective in reducing risks and reclaiming misused properties. Since launching their intensive visits and checks in November 2023, the Council’s Counter-fraud Team has conducted over 1,000 visits to more than 600 temporary accommodation units, enabling the recovery of 43 properties from fraudulent use.
This proactive, in-person approach goes beyond routine checks, allowing Redbridge to free up homes for vulnerable families and ensure fair allocation amid high housing demand.
The Council has also strengthened verification processes, helping detect fraud earlier and prevent misuse, which reduces the risk of properties being wrongly occupied for extended periods.