Southern Housing evacuates tower block over concrete concerns

UK housing association Southern Housing has evacuated 60 flats from its Centrium 1 block in Woking due to concerns over the structural integrity of the concrete.

The evacuation, impacting approximately 100 residents, was disclosed in a stock market update. 

Paul Hackett, CEO of Southern Housing, said: “I want to express how sorry I am to residents that we have had to take this action. Our main priority is the safety of our residents, and we had no choice but to ask them to leave their homes.

“This is a complex situation, and we had to make a quick decision based on the new information available to us provided by our technical and legal advisors. We don’t have all the answers yet, and we will work tirelessly to fully understand the extent of the structural issues in the building and what steps to take next.”

Southern Housing is awaiting the results of ongoing investigations into the construction materials. However, the timeline for residents to return remains uncertain.

Responding to the situation, Southern Housing pledged support to affected residents, committing to diligent efforts to comprehend the extent of the structural issues and determine the necessary steps for resolution. The housing association is presently exploring alternative housing options for those displaced.

The evacuation marks the second safety concern in just over a month for Southern Housing. In October, the association faced criticism from the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC) regarding fire safety issues in Millicent Buller House in Earl’s Court. 

While Southern Housing denied making any decisions about the building's future, SHAC asserted that residents were informed of plans to close and dispose of the scheme, raising concerns of potential eviction.