Westminster may ship council tenants out of London

Westminster Council has admitted that it is considering shipping council tenants out of London to new properties that it would build itself.

In a draft housing document, it says there isn't enough space in the borough for all the people it needs to house. It currently has more than 4,500 people on its waiting list.

"We will investigate the potential delivery of affordable homes beyond our borders. No matter what we do, we will never provide enough homes in Westminster for everyone who wants to live here," the document reads.

"So we need to start thinking about whether some people's needs can be better met by us helping them access housing outside Westminster, or even by direct provision by the council of housing outside the city."

According to the council, it will need to build 420 new homes every year for the next 20 years - but it can only build 250. It warns residents that it can take a staggering 25 years for a four-bedroom property to become available, with even a studio flat taking a three-year wait.

"We have to recognise that we do not have the resources to help everyone," says councillor Daniel Astaire, cabinet member for housing, regeneration, business and economic development.

"Demand for housing in Westminster is high while the space and money to meet it are both constrained. We have hard choices to make and cannot please everyone."

Shipping council tenants out of the borough is something that Westminster's tried before.

In 2013, Westminster resident Titina Nzolameso and her five children, aged between eight and 14, were offered temporary accommodation near Milton Keynes. When she refused, the council said it had no obligation to help her find anywhere else.

But the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that councils can only take this line if they can show proof that no other homes are available.

The draft document does acknowledge that if people are forced to leave Westminster, the area will become even more 'socially and economically polarised'. It would also make it harder for local employers to find staff.

Westminster says it is looking to find homes within 'commutable distance' - though it doesn't say what that might be. It has, though, already leased 20 properties Thurrock, in Essex, and is believed to have approached Southend and Hertsmere, in Hertfordshire.

Read more on AOL Money:

Coalition slammed for social housing failure

New social housing in London halves

London emergency housing bill soars