The Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Keith Prince AM, writes:
“There has been a lot of misinformation, and in some cases deliberate untrue rumours, being spread on social media about the families moving into Havering’s new Family Welcome Centre in Harold Hill.
“Let me be absolutely clear: the claims being made about who is living at the centre and how it is being used are completely false.
“The Family Welcome Centre has been built to support Havering families who are in temporary accommodation and to whom the Council already has a housing duty.
"Its purpose is to provide local families, including children, with a safe, secure and comfortable place to live while they are being supported into longer-term housing.
“For too long, councils across London have had to rely on expensive and often unsuitable hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation for families facing homelessness.
"That can be disruptive for children, costly for taxpayers, and far from the stable environment families need at an already difficult time.
“This centre is a better and more responsible approach.
"It keeps Havering families closer to their schools, support networks, health services and communities, while giving the Council greater control over the quality and cost of temporary accommodation.
“We understand that residents may have questions, and we will always seek to provide clear and factual information.
"However, spreading false rumours about accommodation housing vulnerable families is unacceptable.
"It causes unnecessary fear, creates division within our community and risks targeting people who are simply trying to rebuild their lives in safety.
“Our priority is, and will remain, keeping residents safe.
"The continued spread of misinformation puts residents and staff at the centre at risk, and we are working closely with the police, who are supporting the Council to reassure families, staff and the wider community.”