Stroud Green councillor Laura Edge has sharply criticised Haringey Council for once again allowing a council-owned property in her ward to become occupied by squatters. The move follows criticism from Councillor Edge in June about the failure of Haringey Council to recover a number of squatted properties in Perth Road N4.

Haringey had allowed one of two social housing properties in Perth Road to become occupied once again, shortly after they had finally evicted a previous set of squatters from the other property. The properties had become empty and were boarded up in late July, but Councillor Edge says this must have been inadequately done, because a new set of squatters moved into one of the properties again last week.

Cllr Laura Edge comments:

“It is extremely frustrating, as this means we are back to square one in trying to sort out this problem. Squatters will always take advantage of empty buildings if Haringey Council does not move to secure them properly, repair them, and ensure that they are swiftly occupied. Given the demand for social housing in the borough, this is unacceptable and is also a blight for nearby residents.”