The growing Charedi community in Westcliff has issued notices in religious publications urging those considering moving to the area to do so via a newly established housing committee, in order to avoid inflated property prices.

The Vaad L’Harchovas Hagvilois (committee for the widening of the boundaries) has advised all those interested in purchasing a home in the area, “including buying to let or for part time — Shabbos and holidays”, to do so via their organisation, rather than “deal directly with agents”.To choose the latter would “result in increased house prices, thus affecting the kehilla [community] and its future”.

Speaking to the JC, a representative of the housing committee said the notice had been sent out in response to “significant interest from a number of people” in moving to the Southend area.

He explained that the housing committee would operate in a similar fashion to those already in place in Gateshead and Canvey Island. The Gateshead scheme, which has operated for many years, requires frum Jews seeking to purchase a property in the area to apply via a housing organisation under the auspices of the Gateshead Rov.

The Westcliff representative reported that, as of Rosh Hashanah, there were 31 families within the local Charedi community, which was founded at the beginning of 2016.

In June, the JC reported that the Stamford Hill-based Agudas Israel Housing Association had purchased one house in the area and was looking to purchase six or seven more. Ita Symons, AIHA’s chief executive, said there was a waiting list.