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Tower block residents 'really sad' about eviction

BBC A tower block covered in scaffoldingBBC
Residents at St James Court and Albion Court must find new homes

More than 100 social housing residents, including pensioners, have been told they must leave their homes.

Together Housing has told its 130 tenants at St James Court and Albion Court in Halifax they have to find somewhere new to live.

Numerous residents told the BBC they wanted to stay put and did not know where they might have to move to.

The company said major structural work was needed on the tower blocks, which could not be done with people living there.

A spokesperson said the work could take years and promised to provide one-to-one support for residents to help them find new homes.

The flats, which were built in the 1960s, have been covered by scaffolding for two years.

There have also been maintenance issues in some of the 152 homes.

One resident, Richard Guillot, told the BBC he began "trembling" when he read his eviction letter.

The 76-year-old has lived in St James Court since it was first built.

"This is my home," he added.

"I don't want to move to somewhere where I don't know anyone and start again."

Mr Guillot said he had known some of the other residents at St James Court since he was a teenager, with the majority now retired.

He currently lives within walking distance of his two daughters and his youngest brother and said there was a "close community" on the housing estate.

Richard Guillot
Mr Guillot has lived on the estate for most of his life

Another tenant, Dawn Oliver, said she was "really sad" about having to move.

"We our losing our home, our community and I don't want to move.

"Plus there's nowhere to go and they can shove us anywhere.

"These flats are for the older end and there's nowhere for us to go. It's bad."

A Together Housing spokesperson said the decision "hasn't been taken lightly".

"Unfortunately, there's no future for these homes and we have to do the best we can for the residents," they said.

The spokesperson said it was expected "most residents will have been suitably rehoused over an 18-month period, but it could take more or less time".

"We are not rushing the process for our residents and we will work with everyone on an individual basis," they added.

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