Elderly facing uncertain future

2:30pm Thursday 7th August 2008

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DOZENS of elderly residents at a Winchester sheltered housing complex face being forced to move because the owners want to sell.

The HVHS Housing Group has told residents of Woolverston House that it plans to sell the site in Bereweeke Road, Weeke, by early 2010. About 37 of the 49 homes are occupied and the residents will have to find new homes.

HVHS says it had been forced to shut because of the high number of vacancies and the cost of refurbishing the home.

But a resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Fear stalks the corridors here. We are going to be shoved out to all sorts of places they haven't been able to let, because they are in grotty parts of Winchester."

Another tenant said residents would "fight tooth and nail" against the plans.

The site is likely to be sold to a property developer for a multi-million pound windfall.

The news comes as HVHS has also announced that Meller House in Oakbank Road, Bishopstoke, will cease to be sheltered housing as the manager is being removed. It will still provide accommodation to over-55s.

Woolverston was built in the 1980s after a local woman left the land in 1973 to Hampshire Old People's Housing Society, a predecessor of HVHS.

Chris Perry, director of Hampshire Age Concern, said: "A lot of residents have lived there for years and it could be devastating for them.

"It is not something they will have chosen to do. It is being imposed on them."

HVHS managing director Jackie Bligh defended the closure of the complex and said: "It is a difficult decision the board has made.

"They have looked at every single option, but this is the only option for the board to make.

"We want our residents to live in good quality homes and we need the money (from the sale) to provide them with this."

She said there is an oversupply of sheltered accommodation in Winchester, so it would be likely that the residents would find an alternative place to live.

She added: "Moving house at any time is difficult and our priority now is to work with our residents on finding alternative housing that meets their individual needs and requirements.

"We are aware that many residents have been very happy at Woolverston and are sorry for the distress we know it will cause."

All residents will be eligible for a payment of up to £6,400, comprising a statutory Government Home Loss payment of £4,400, as well as a disturbance allowance from HVHS to assist with removal expenses, such as re-fitting or purchase of new carpets and curtains and reconnection of utilities, appliances, and telephones.