Dozens of veterans living in accommodation next to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium face eviction.
Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions was established in 1915 to provide homes for soldiers returning from war.
The complex is currently home to 42 veterans, some of whom have served in places such as Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.
In October, Chelsea Football Club had an Β£80m bid accepted for the site.
It appears the sale is set to be finalized early this year. The chief executive of the Stoll charity, which owns the complex, said no veterans would face homelessness.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, of the 157 apartments at Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions, only about 20 will be retained under Chelsea’s plans.
Those people who are on guaranteed leases will be resettled, with Stoll’s support, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. However, those who have lived in the complex for less than five years will need to make their own arrangements,
Resident Guy Cholerton, who served in Northern Ireland and the first Gulf War, told BBC London he feared he would become homeless.
The 56-year-old said: “The thing that worries me the most is becoming homeless and the detrimental effect it can have on my mental health issues, as many of the residents here are suffering.”
Hammersmith and Fulham Council have urged both Chelsea FC and Stoll to halt the sale while a viable solution is found for the veterans.
Various facilities operate on site, including a common area and a medical centre, the latter of which serves 6,500 patients across the wider community.
“Beyond Renovation”
Stoll boss Will Campbell-Wroe explained that the sale would ensure the “long-term financial viability” of the charity.
“The reality is that the space is not sustainable for the long term, with many of the apartments beyond the scope of renovation,” he said.
βWe know the news has had a huge impact on our residents and we understand the significant concern and uncertainty it will cause many.
βThat is why we are committed to helping every resident find alternative accommodation and we will be providing more details on this in the coming weeks. We do not make our veterans homeless and no veteran will be homeless.
“The support of our residents is of the utmost importance to us and we welcome the commitment of those who share this goal.”
Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham, Greg Hants, said he welcomed Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s “intervention” because “everything the council can do to help [tenants] relocate, provide shelter… that would be a good solution.”
“I have known the people of Stoll for many years and they are people who deserve to be looked after; these are people who have served their country in various conflicts,” he said.
Mr Hands added: “I think it was difficult and probably not economical to refurbish the properties; that was certainly an issue.”