A campaign is being launched by a Labour councillor to end discrimination against unmarried and same sex partners living in Barnet Council homes.

The present rules say if a tenant dies only the bereaved husband or wife can stay in the family home. Gay and unmarried people have no right to remain.

"The Council's current rules on council housing tenancy succession are a disgrace," says Councillor Linda McFadyen. "The council can force them to move to a smaller property, no matter how long they have lived in their homes."

Councillor McFadyen is demanding the rules be changed to give every tenant the same rights bringing the council into line with housing associations.

"Unmarried people who have been bereaved shouldn't have to rely on the council being nice they should have the right to stay in their own home."

Councillor McFadyen will be proposing a change in the rules at next week's meeting of the council.

She is putting forward a private members' bill to amend the tenancy succession rules.

The cabinet member responsible for social inclusion, Phil Yeoman, has made it clear he supports the change.

If the Bill is approved by the council it will be passed to the cabinet to decide what action is taken.

October 30, 2001 17:36