FIFTY refugee families are still living at Southend’s Palace Hotel four months after they arrived, it has been revealed.

Political leaders in Southend fear they can only find permanent homes for ten families.

Southend Council’s leader is urging neighbouring authorities to step in and help with the refugees living at the Park Inn Palace Hotel in Church Road for the last four months.

A number of refugee children, from Afghanistan, have been placed in schools in Southend, but roughly 50 families are still living in the hotel as the council looks to secure housing.

Ian Gilbert, Labour leader of Southend Council said: “There are still more than 50 families in the hotel and obviously it’s not an ideal long term home for anyone so I hope we can get it sorted for them soon.

“Working is ongoing with other councils but I think we are looking at homing single numbers of families.

“There is still great pressure on housing stock and we do not have unlimited homes available to us here in Southend.

“They have been in the hotel a long time but it’s better then them being in damager but it’s not designed for living day to day life there.”

The Echo revealed September how the hotel, owned by Radisson, had taken in 90 families fleeting terror in their home country.

Laurie Burton, Labour cabinet member for children and learning said: “Most of the children are located across two schools, one primary and one secondary, to keep the small community together while the families are found permanent homes. Older children, nursery-aged children and children with additional needs are also in appropriate education.”

Mr Gilbert has high praise for his officers, council and also the voluntary and faith communities who stepped up help the families.

He said his council has carried out an “enormous amount of quick” work to spring into action and help and support the families who have been through what he described as “appalling conditions”.