PROBLEM TENANTS will not be moved next door to elderly householders in a shake-up of sheltered housing provision in Perth and Kinross.
The commitment was made by senior councillors and officials as the review was debated yesterday.
The council is moving some of its sheltered housing into the general stock, leading to fears that inappropriate placements could shatter the much-needed peace of older people.
But housing and health committee convener, Councillor Dave Doogan, said there was no chance of that happening and the likes of drug users, alcoholics and those with complex needs would not be given the formerly sheltered housing.
He said: “We will be sensitive to any clash of lifestyles. Officers have assured me that tenants who have previously engaged in anti-social behaviour, or fire raising, or been subject to legal action or intervention regarding their tenancy, or who are known to the police, or have social problems and have been unable to sustain a tenancy will not be allocated accommodation within houses reclassified as mainstream.”
The committee was told reasons for the moves to bring some sheltered housing back into mainstream use. It will only apply to flatted accommodation, much of which was constructed in the nineties and was not purpose-built for sheltered homes.
The identification of the houses affected came about after lengthy consultation with tenant groups, officials told the committee.
The sites targeted for the move are on Crieff Road and Whitefriars Street in Perth, and Birch Avenue, Scone.
There had been fears cottages in Dalreoch, in the Letham are of Perth, would also be changed, but assurances were given that it is only flats on Rannoch Road, behind the cottages, which will be reallocated.
The item almost ended in farce with an attempt to raise the age qualification for sheltered housing in Perth and Kinross from 60 to 65.
A quick U-turn was made when it was discovered the move, suggested by Conservative councillor Dennis Melloy,and backed by Mr Doogan, would be contrary to Scottish Government guidance.
Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett said: “The changes were going to be adopted in the blink of an eye without consultation with service users, without any impact analysis and in contradiction to the advice offered by council officers.
“This was a complete shambles.”
arichardson@thecourier.co.uk