Sheltered housing residents in Dundee have been left in “fear” over cuts to their services.
Those living in one of Dundee’s major sheltered housing complexes, Blackness Court, have been told the facility will no longer provide an in-house warden. Younger people, from the age of 50, are also set to move in.
The changes will also affect Sinderins Court, Pennycook Court and to a lesser extent, Lime Court, after it was decided they would be reclassified as amenity housing from April.
The organisation which runs the housing units, Home Scotland, said the move became necessary after the Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership decided to end a grant scheme from 2018.
The Housing Support Grant was used by Homes Scotland to fund the cost of key sheltered housing features such as community alarms and wardens.
The partnership will now offer tailored services based on individual need to give those who need care “more choice and control”.
Blackness Court Sheltered Housing Complex resident, Anne Gray said many people moved into the complex because it was classed as sheltered accommodation.
The 77-year-old said: “So many people are frightened. We have had many meetings about it but it hasn’t made a difference.
“A lot of the residents, some of whom are in their 80s and 90s and are quite frail, moved here under the assumption it would remain as sheltered housing.
“I want people to be aware of how 60 flats of old people are being treated and how a company has the right to move the goalposts to such an extent that suffering and fear of the future affect their tenants.”
Fellow resident, Robert Gray, 61, said he has considered moving out because of the changes.
He said: “They are doing away with the alarms which is unbelievable. They are now saying you have to pay extra to keep it.
“It’s no longer accommodation just for older people which is concerning.”
Units will now be available to those aged from 50 years of age, rather than the current 60.
A spokesperson for Home Scotland said: “The Housing Support Grant paid by the local council is being withdrawn from March 31 and as a result, onsite support services available in two of the sites can no longer be provided.
“We have carried out individual consultation and held meetings with customers and councillors on a number of occasions to explain the options and also the changes that will take effect.
“Nationally, funding for support services is now based on individual needs and we are working with Dundee City Council to assess all customers who may require support services and/or a dispersed community alarm service.
“The demand for sheltered housing has changed and in response to this we have now reduced the age criteria to 50 years to reflect the change in demand.
“We continue to make significant investment in these properties to ensure they provide modern and accessible services for current and future customers. Our staff team is on site regularly and are talking to customers and their families throughout the process.”
Abertay Housing Association, Bield Housing Association and Cairn Housing Association have also withdrawn support services, while Caledonia Housing Association has begun to reduce theirs.
There have been no complaints logged by the association or council as a result.
A Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership spokesperson said: “There are a number of contributing factors which have made it necessary to review the support provided by housing associations in sheltered housing in Dundee.
“The changes will give people who require social care and support much more choice and control over how their care and support needs are met.
“Those who live in sheltered housing will have access to housing support, in a variety of ways.”
