Residents of a Shanklin street are the latest to reject the idea of a house for the homeless.
Two Saints, a not-for-profit service for the homeless, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, is looking to buy and convert the former Rosemere Bed and Breakfast on Queen’s Road, turning it into a property for the homeless.
Local residents: Local area completely inappropriate
Local residents and business owners, however, told Two Saints on Wednesday the building in question and the local area was completely inappropriate for such a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).
One neighbour said they had had no communication from Two Saints and felt totally ignored.
McDermott: HMO’s residents would not cause chaos
James McDermott, Two Saints’ regional director, said speaking to local residents had been the next step in the plan, “but hand on heart, the HMO’s residents would not cause chaos”.
Local people said there were already two HMOs on the road and while they wished the people well, it was wrong for the area.
Quirk: Amount of HMOs in the area was damaging
Shanklin South councillor Chris Quirk said he felt comfortable this HMO would be better than the others nearby, but the amount of HMOs in the area was damaging.
Other concerns were also raised about residents’ potential behaviour and the disturbances it would cause, with young families, elderly residents and lots of tourist-based businesses around.
Somewhere to stay before finding somewhere more permanent
The HMO would have six beds, be staffed six days a week and be a place for residents to stay while they found somewhere more permanent.
Mr McDermott said no individual would be placed in the HMO directly from the street but would go through assessments to ensure they were ready to live independently and not ‘negatively impact’ the local community.
The Queen’s Road property was one of five Two Saints are currently interested in on the Island, Mr McDermott said, as they had a contract with the council to provide 25 accommodation units.
Beston: They needed to work with Two Saints
Cllr Michael Beston, Shanklin Central representative, told the meeting if he was uncomfortable with the proposal in any way he would be screaming and shouting, but they needed to work with Two Saints.
Recent attempts by Two Saints to open HMOs across the Island were unsuccessful after community concerns saw a seller pull out in Sandown and a funding issue and lack of council support for a property in Newport.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
