Residents describe 'shock' after being asked to leave their sheltered housing

Residents at a sheltered housing scheme in Diss have said they were “shocked” after being asked to leave the building.

Last week, residents at Clare House were told they would have to move out of their homes so that essential work could be undertaken on the building.

The building is run by Saffron Housing Trust, a social housing association that offers affordable and supported living for elderly people. The Long Stratton-based trust are yet to decide what will happen with Clare House in the future – but have not ruled out selling it off.

One resident spoke of her frustration at the plans, saying that residents should have been notified sooner.

Val Kitchen, who has lived in Clare House for more than four years, said: “I don’t think anyone can really believe it.

“I got the letter last week, and I was shocked – I thought this was going to be my last home.

“They could have told us sooner. I don’t know where to go because it’s not something I’ve been thinking about, so it’s a bit of a worry.”

Saffron have already begun moving residents to other homes across the Diss area, including Weaver’s Court, in Mount Street.

Ms Kitchen added that given the current pandemic, however, relocating tennants from the building’s 26 flats into appropriate housing could prove to be a difficult task.

“They have said they will help us find somewhere, but I don’t think they have got anywhere like this available, unless it was in Norwich and I don’t think anyone wants to go that far away,” said the 65-year-old.

Haruna Shava, a 71-year-old resident who has lived in the building for two years, added that she was frustrated to leave, and hoped to be able to move back in once work was complete.

She said: “I’m frustrated because the place has been quite homely – I just started to feel like I was at home now.

“If we’re going to have to move out during the pandemic, it will be quite tricky finding a new place.

“I was curious what they are going to do with it next – if it’s possible to reapply, I will.”

Following the essential repairs, Saffron claimed they would undertake an options appraisal – assessing a number of different possibilities.

They said they would follow the “best course of action for the Clare House and the local community,” – but did not rule out selling off the building.

Hannah Harvey, Executive Director of Operations, at Saffron said a decision should be made by the autumn.

In a statement, she said: “We understand the information about possible changes to Clare House may be unsettling for our residents. We are supporting them by having open and honest conversations, our Wellbeing Co-ordinators are contacting each resident to talk through the options available to them on a one to one basis. This includes a needs assessment and the opportunity to discuss the financial support they are entitled to as a direct consequence of being required to move to a new home. They will also talk through the options of alternative accommodation as we have a surplus of vacant properties in the Diss area, including our independent living scheme Weavers Court. Having properties available is unusual, but could create an opportunity for residents at Clare House.

“At this stage, we do not have a timescale for when the works will take place and what the works will involve as this will depend on the outcome of the options available to us that we are reviewing. Due to the age and layout of Clare House, all options would require residents to move from the scheme as the work needed to be carried out would be significant. We anticipate a decision on the outcome of the options appraisal to be in the autumn this year after we have fully consulted with our key stakeholders."

“There are 23 residents at the scheme, none have moved out at this stage. We are acutely aware of the current Covid restrictions in place and will plan our timings of the Clare House improvements, and therefore when tenants would need to be in suitable alternative accommodation, at a time when it is absolutely appropriate and safe to do so.

“The reason for the options appraisal is to understand what the best course of action for Clare House and the local community is. There are a number of possible opportunities for future use of the scheme, all of which will be considered.”