Free Press News
Torfaen MP meets sheltered-housing residents who fear they will lose their homes
12:13pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
TORFAEN MP Paul Murphy and Lynne Neagle AM visited concerned sheltered-housing residents who fear they are to lose their homes.
Fears arose after Bron Afon announced they are looking into alternative uses for some of their retirement schemes in the borough because of a lack of demand.
The four schemes to be altered are Sid Griffiths Court in Garndiffaith, Ivor Gardens and Kennard Court in Blaenavon, and Tan Y Coed in Pontnewynydd.
Mr Murphy said: "People do get worried as they get older. They become frightened of the future.
"They need to be given real reassurances and at the moment residents do not feel they have that.
"We have serious housing shortages in Torfaen so surely we could try to match suitable people for these voids if the age range was lowered slightly and compatibility taken into consideration.
"There is a strong feeling of uncertainty among residents at the schemes and I believe the real problem lies with poor communication.
"It is the duty of Bron Afon to listen very carefully to residents."
Ms Neagle added: "There has been no period of consultation and there is the perception a decision has already been made.
"I have had several people visit me saying they are desperate for accommodation like the properties within the schemes."
Bron Afon said in the last four years 44 of the flats at the schemes had been empty a total of 55 times costing £152,000 in lost rent.
Bill Edwards, 70, who has lived in Tan Y Coed for eight years said: "If Bron Afon had come in and said their main concern was filling the flats and we wouldn't have to leave then it wouldn't have caused such a problem.
"It could have been made much clearer."
Joan Bartlett a resident of Kennard Court said: "The information we are being given needs to be consistent all the way through. People have been told different things so we won't know where we stand until Bron Afon get it together.
"All I know is I don't want to move. It's a lovely place to live."
Bron Afon's director of community housing and support Ian Simpson said the number of empty properties are a growing problem which has to be dealt with.
He said: "Bron Afon has 39 retirement schemes, which accounts for 900 homes across Torfaen.
"But long-term voids, particularly in the north of the borough, are becoming an increasing problem and we cannot afford to sustain the rent loss.
"There are empty flats and issues with the layout to some of the schemes and we do not have the capital to carry out major refurbishments to meet modern day standards.
"The ideal solution would be to build new complexes and give residents fantastic new houses where they want to stay but that is not possible in the current financial climate.
"We want to identify the needs and issues of our existing residents and figure out how we can address these issues in a way which also provides a solution for us.
"We are concerned if we have caused anxiety and have since been visiting residents individually and they are now a lot more aware of what's going on.
"Our aim is to find a solution to long-standing empty properties with minimal inconvenience to existing tenants. There is no set plan for the schemes yet.
"We haven't ruled anything in or out."