Three families who lost their homes in the Grenfell Tower fire are still living in temporary accommodation six years later.
Seventy-two people lost their lives in the blaze in Kensington, West London in June 2017. Six years on, three of the 201 households displaced in the fire are still waiting to move into their new homes.
Emma Dent Coad, who was the area’s MP at the time of the fire, said that changes in response to the tragedy had happened at a “snail’s pace”.
She told the Mirror: “There’s huge frustration of how little has been achieved in those six years. I know people who are still in temporary accommodation six years on.
“Some of them are in service flats now, but before they were in horrible temporary accommodation and hostels, it was horrific. We have terrible stories about people who were completely traumatised and were thrown into hostels with people who just came out of jail.”
Just days after the blaze, then Prime Minister Theresa May assured that survivors would be rehoused within three weeks.
Ms Dent Coad added: “The government and council need to actually listen to people and treat people on low incomes with equal respect.
"The whole construction industry has to be completely transformed and I don't think in Westminster they have a clue how to do that.
“Good leadership is about understanding what you're good at, what you're not, and the type of people you help bring in to fill the gaps and the government is not doing that.
“After six years, there has to be a turning point for huge change in the way that social tenants are considered and viewed because we know that they’re looked down on, mocked and disdained.”
Ms Dent Coad, who lost her seat as an MP at the 2019 election, now sits as an independent councillor.
Kensington and Chelsea Council said 198 families had moved into homes provided by the local authority. The other three have chosen permanent accommodation but are waiting for works to be completed on the properties before they are ready to live in.
Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, the leader of the council, said: “Six years on, the Grenfell tragedy remains etched into the memories of people in our communities and Londoners right across the capital. The Council’s commitment, and my own commitment, to survivors, the bereaved and local residents is unwavering.
“Our thoughts are always with the people who lost their lives, their loved ones and their homes and we continue to be inspired by the courage shown by the families in their search for justice, and for change.
“We will keep listening, keep improving, and keep supporting local people as we meet the challenge the bereaved and survivors have set us – to become the best Council, as a real legacy from the tragedy.”
