Teams work together to transform empty homes
West Kent staff have been working together to make sure all tenants will be safe and secure during the lockdown, even if a further crisis should happen. We always need to be prepared to move tenants out of their home at short notice if there is an emergency situation like a flood or fire that has made a property unsafe to stay in, but the current lockdown means the usual option of booking tenants into a hotel wouldn’t be possible, so a family could be left with nowhere to stay. But teams across West Kent have quickly worked together to make sure we can keep tenants safe and move them quickly if necessary.
West Kent’s three Abacus stores recycle unwanted, pre-used furniture and household items, and sell them on at a low cost, but stores had to shut in accordance with government guidelines. Our Head of Allocations got in touch with the Abacus team and asked if they could make sure two empty properties were fully furnished, comfortable and ready to move into should the need arise. Within a few days, the empty properties were transformed into comfortable homes, fully equipped with everything from sofas and beds to pillows, cushions and kitchen equipment. Most furniture was from Abacus stores but the team sourced items elsewhere too, to make sure a family would have everything they needed.
We hope that no-one will have to move from their home during the current difficulties, but all tenants can be safe in the knowledge they will have a comfortable and safe place to stay if the worst happens.