‘Serious housing fraud’ uncovered at London council as dozens of homes ‘given to people who weren’t eligible’

A Newham Council housing officer allegedly manipulated allocation systems to give 35 homes to ineligible people; the fraud was exposed by a whistleblower, and the officer resigned immediately when confronted.

The council says it is working with the police to pursue a criminal investigation and recover the 35 misallocated social homes

The fraud emerges amid Newham’s severe temporary housing shortage — the borough has over 7,500 households in temporary accommodation, costing £100 million annually — prompting new policies allowing placement of families outside Newham or even London.