Barrhead News | News | CONTROVERSIAL HOUSING UNIT OPENED TO PUBLIC

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 21st August, 2008 17:45

CONTROVERSIAL HOUSING UNIT OPENED TO PUBLIC

By Amanda Keenan

RESIDENTS of Connor Road are being invited to an open day at a controversial £2.5 million homeless unit.

More than 500 people complained to the Scottish Government about building 12 flats in the street to house and support men with chaotic lifestyles.

Now in a bid to try to change opinions about the unit, Barrhead Housing Association is holding an open day on Saturday September 20 to allow people to have a look around.

A spokesperson for Barrhead Housing Association said: “The open day will allow people to have a look at the unit and see what programmes we have to support and help tenants.

“We are aware that a lot of people are opposed to the unit opening and this is why we want to invite people along so that they can have a look for themselves.

“The unit will officially open in November and we would like to take this opportunity to address any queries people may have before it opens.”

The accommodation will house 11 young men aged 16 to 25-years-old with one supervisor - but concerned residents fear the ‘homeless’ men will bring more trouble into the area.

The supported accommodation will be housed near to a drug rehabilitation unit in an area viewed locally as a ‘crime hotspot’.

One concerned resident said: “Barrhead is becoming a dumping ground for neds and we feel this is not the correct place for this type of facility.

“In principle, people welcome such a unit but it is the wrong place for it.

“But it will be interesting to have a look inside the unit to find out a bit more. I think that people in the street will go the open day even if it is just for their own piece of mind.

“Everyone knows at the weekend Cross Arthurlie Street is a crime hotspot - a lot of youth roam the street and there is a lot of drugs. They have access to three or four off-sales, seven or eight pub. It is right in the centre of Barrhead.

“The unit would be best suited to the outskirts of East Renfrewshire.”

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