Red67

I agree that this is deeply moving but it also demonstrates how wrong these homeless units are. What people need is stability; and all this moving families from pillar to post causes too much unnecessary stress.

Ironically though, people who've been through this aggravation - and who later become lucky enough to get a council flat or house - are sometimes eligible to buy it at a cut price from 2 years into their tenancy. How crazy is that! The reason they've had to endure so much discomfort is because of the severe lack of council housing and then the council, knowing the problems, are obliged to sell. DURR!

I've been through the old half-way house system as a very young child and I still remember clearly the elation when we were given a council flat on the old Sumner Estate in Peckham. Me, my brother and my sister all shared a 12' x 9' bedroom until we were 10, 11 and 12 but it was our home for many years and it allowed us to flourish (all going state grammar schools).

This 'Right-to-Buy' drives me mad because it's depriving people like those kids on that TV program of the homes they desperately need. In my opinion Lewisham need to forget this short-term sticking-plaster plan and have a bit of a rethink.

By the way, how lovely were both of the eldest children in both of those families!