Families moved out of homes (From Haringey Independent)

'It’s just heart breaking' - Families moved out of homes

11:08am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

Families have been evicted from a block of flats as owners Metropolitan Police look to sell the site.

A total of 21 families living in the flats and four houses in Connaught House are being forced out of their homes by the site's owners the Metropolitan Police, who are looking to sell the land.

Yesterday more than a dozen families were evicted from their homes, with five who have extensions remaining on the site.

Joan Elsby, 59, who has lived in the block of flats for 19 years, watched her neighbours move out throughout the day.

She said: “It’s so so sad. It’s been horrible having to see people leave. We’ve all been together so long here and it's breaking us all up.

“It’s just heart breaking and an end of an era really. A lot of these people are like family and now they don’t have anywhere permanent to live.

“They’ve got temporary accommodation but there is no security for them, especially the children.”

The site was leased to Crown Housing Association, which says it has been trying to find alternative accommodation for people living in Connaught House.

Some have been found other homes, but others were made homeless after yesterday’s eviction and had to be found emergency accommodation by Haringey Borough Council.

Families have been offered homes outside the borough in Southgate and Edmonton Green as well as flats in Tottenham.

Michelle Mattox, who has lived in the building for 16 years, said: “It’s been a really emotional day for everyone. It’s so sad, especially for the children who have all grown up together.

“It’s very sad but we are still going to keep it together and support each other no matter where we are.”

The Metropolitan Police said it would work closely with Crown Housing Association regarding arrangements with current occupiers before proceeding to market.