Dispute over state of flats for homeless; CLAIM FAMILIES IN CRISIS ARE PLACED ALONGSIDE DRUG ADDICTS

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), July 28, 2008

Byline: By PETER YOUNG Political Editor

HOMELESS families with children are being housed in rundown flats alongside people with drug and alcohol problems.

Plans for new accommodation to replace the flats have fallen through and one councillor described the plight of residents as a disgrace, saying he would not allow a dog to live there.

The row involves temporary accommodation for the homeless run by Newcastle City Council at Hill Court in Pitt Street, close to the former Tyne Brewery.

Westgate ward councillor Nick Forbes, who chairs the West Riverside Children's Centre, which includes Hill Court, says health visitors are concerned about the wellbeing of children living in the flats. He said: "There are a lot of concerns about families with small children living in the same block as people with drug, alcohol or mental health problems.

"Not only are they in a crisis situation in their family life but they are in accommodation which is totally unsuitable for modern-day requirements.

"Children are coming from a family home into a situation where they are surrounded by strangers, often making a noise into the early hours.

"The accommodation is totally unsuitable for anyone. Personally, I would not allow a dog to live there, yet there are no firm relocation plans.

"To expect anyone in crisis to live in this type of accommodation is inhumane. Every week that goes by without any action is a disgrace to the city."

The three blocks contain 47 one, two and three-bedroomed flats built in the 1950s and have been used for the homeless since the 70s.

The council, with partners Newcastle University and the regional development agency One NorthEast, is planning a showpiece science park and private developers have plans for a hotel, student flats and offices close to Hill Court.

Coun Forbes, who is leader of the council's opposition Labour group, raised the plight of the Hill Court residents at a meeting of the city council's Liberal Democrat executive.

Council officials say they are trying to find a suitable site and chief executive Ian Stratford said a full report will be returned in September.

People are placed in Hill Court for up to six months until permanent accommodation is found. Christine Cunningham, the council's head of strategic housing, said: "Hill Court offers excellent services and support to some of the city's most vulnerable people, many of whom go on to secure settled, long-term accommodation.

"However, we're aware that the standards there fall well short of what residents are entitled to as the building becomes older and suffers wear and tear.

"We had looked into the possibility of building a replacement temporary accommodation unit at Ellison Place, but this isn't feasible for cost and space reasons.

"We're continuing to look at a range of options we'll report back to councillors in September. The council is also focusing on homelessness prevention."

CAPTION(S):

PROBLEMS: The flats which are causing so much concern to Count Forbes and local people; CRITICISM: Coun Forbes