6 John Street - proposed change to homeless hostel

[bearcub]

Appears to me to be more a landlord wanting to cash in on payments he'll receive from DSS and others, than someone with the best interests of homeless and vulnerable people at heart.

[tom nimmo]

And a nice little earner it is too, Bearcub. There is a world of difference between a homeless hostel and a B&B which takes in homeless people. A homeless hostel is regulated by social work or the Care Commission. A homeless hostel has qualified and experienced staff who will work in a shift pattern so that there is 24 hour cover for residents. A homeless hostel will provide a keyworker who will advise on housing matters, medical registration, addiction services and follow-on housing support. A homeless hostel strives to be a safe and secure address for people seeking the support to help themselves find a permanent home.

A B&B is where people spend the night.

[Dadaist]

I don't doubt all of that.

The other day there was a demo in London staged by Muslim, Jewish and Christian groups against some anti-discrimination legislation whose stated reason for protest was that they were concerned for their own rights to practise their religion.

I wondered if there were not the odd one or two of them who were simply unreconstructed bigots who were using a veneer of respectability over views even a dog in the street rightly regards as odious. A bit like when the BNP grew their hair and put on suits etc.

The same thought continues to trouble me when it comes to this hostel/B&B - I'm not 100% convinced yet that there are not, amongst the John Street objectors, one or two who have a similar approach to public relations.

[tom nimmo]

Dadaist, I live far enough away from John Street that, if this should go ahead, it will not impact on me or my quality of life. As a result of this, I don't want to sit in judgement of the motives of the residents who are objecting to the plans for this building. I suppose this is what happens when a group of people are brought together by a project which may impact upon them. I would hope that the supporters of the campaign against this application can say in all honesty that they are doing it for the right reasons. One of the saddest sights I used to see regularly was, while cycling to work along Leith Links, homeless families sitting outside B&Bs with their belongings in black bin bags. The look of hopelessness on the faces of parents and their children is one which will stay with me. It is my personal opinion that any council is shirking it's responsibility to people by putting them into B&Bs. Homeless people in general are part of an underclass which politicians rarely bother about as there is nothing in it for them. It's not about giving them homes and support, it's about getting them off the street and out of the public eye. Imagine how lives could be transformed if a fraction of the money that was being spent in, say, Iraq was used to provide good quality housing for the most disadvantaged in our society. Sorry if I have rambled on a bit but I work with homeless and disadvantaged people everyday and I never take my own relative good fortune for granted as a result.

[Porty]

The same thought continues to trouble me when it comes to this hostel/B&B - I'm not 100% convinced yet that there are not, amongst the John Street objectors, one or two who have a similar approach to public relations.

I'm sure you are correct in your assertion. However, even if 100% of the objectors are less than altruistic. Based on what you know about Mr Akbar and what Tom and others have said abot the fundamentally flawed B&B hostel concept, do you support the application?

[Dadaist]

Of course not. Sounds like it's almost as grubby and two-faced in its claim to support the homeless as some of the objectors.

[Penny Calder]

I went along to the public meeting for objectors last night at the Town Hall with an open mind: I hadn't put in an objection and wanted to hear both sides.
The property company spokesman said early on that they were now going to aim for professional working tenants, helping people get into their first homes and starting out on their careers. And that they would be taking up references from previous landlords.
When I asked how they could get landlords' references for people in first-time accommodation, he denied saying that. The audience of 60 or so didn't hesitate to remind him otherwise.
I left seriously unconvinced that the venture was in steady hands and I hope that planning and/or licensing permission is refused.

[Bob Jefferson]

I didn't make it along, so I'm keen to hear any first-hand accounts. Can you tell us any more Penny?

[tom nimmo]

The property manager who did all the talking on behalf of the owners was non other than Mr Moran, who was landlord of the Old Pier Inn at the foot of Bath Street a few years ago. He has now transformed himself from pub landlord to senior property manager with Akbar Properties. We were told, as has already been stated, that this property would not be used to house homeless people and that only employed tenants would be housed. Why anyone who is working and looking to rent a room would want to live in this property, sharing with 10 other people and only having one small kitchen, is beyond me. A room in a shared flat in central Edinburgh can be rented for as little as £250 per month so, unless the charges are going to be a whole lot less than that, they are going to have trouble filling John Street. I questioned the legality of tenancy agreements that would presumably have the power to evict someone who lost their job and I thought the attempted response was laughable. Tenants have legal rights and can access benefits to pay rent if they become unemployed, and it can take months to legally evict someone, even for non-payment of rent. Of course, this all depends on a reputable landlord following legal procedures and not just chucking someone out on the street. What was made abundantly clear to me on Wednesday is that the owners are clutching at straws to placate the local residents. No market research has been done to consider whether this proposal is financially viable. No planning permission to convert to bedsits has been sought and there has not yet been a 'change of use' application. In my opinion, the whole event was a bogus sham hosted by people who will say anything and promise everything in order to get their proposals passed.

[Porty]

In my opinion, the whole event was a bogus sham hosted by people who will say anything and promise everything in order to get their proposals passed.

There's a lot of that about.

[tom nimmo]

There's a lot of that about.

I ain't gonna disagree with that statement, Porty

[Bob Jefferson]

From today's EN:

House 'won't be used as hostel'

[Bob Jefferson]

From Maureen Child today:

There was a public meeting in Portobello Town Hall last Wednesday, chaired by a senior Council officer, about 6 John Street and a proposal by the owners to apply (again) for a license to run a house in multiple occupation (HMO). The Council has made clear they would not use these premises to house homeless people in any circumstances. The applicants do not have planning permission to change the use of the property to an HMO - or to a private dwelling for that matter. Its previous use was as a residential home for elderly people and it has lain empty for four years.

The applicants, their property manager and around 80 of the 200 objectors had a 'conversation' about this, which was carefully minuted. Those of us who objected were not reassured. That meeting record will form part of the papers for a special meeting of the Council's Regulatory Committee convened on Friday February 9th at 10am. This item will be the only one on the agenda and I will be speaking against the application as local Councillor.

[wangi]

See that 6 John St is again up for sale... OO £750k.

[Bob Jefferson]

From Maureen Child:

THE CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982
(LICENSING OF HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION) ORDER 2000 (AS AMENDED)

PREMISES: 6 JOHN STREET, EDINBURGH

At its meeting on 12 September 2008 the City of Edinburgh Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a New House in Multiple Occupation Licence (HMO) for 6 John Street. The application had resulted in over two hundred and fifty letters of objection being submitted to the Council.

At its meeting, the Licensing Sub-Committee continued the application to a special meeting. The date of the special meeting is still to be arranged, but it is likely to be the beginning of November 2008. In addition to the special meeting, it was decided that a public meeting should be arranged to enable an exchange of views between objectors and applicant. Following this public meeting, a report will be prepared by the Director of Services for Communities on the tenancy management of the property. That report will be considered at the special meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee. The objectors and the applicant will be invited to attend the special meeting.

A public meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 22 October, 7.30pm, at Portobello Town Hall (main hall), 147 – 149 Portobello High Street, Edinburgh, which you are invited to attend. The applicant has agreed to participate and all objectors will be invited to attend, alongside the Portobello Community Council, Portobello Amenity Society and the John Street Action Group. The meeting will be chaired by a senior manager from Services for Communities and representatives from HMO licensing will be in attendance, alongside other relevant parties.

Could you please confirm whether you will be able to attend and if you would like to be on the panel of this meeting.

If you wish to discuss this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0131 529 7340.

Yours Sincerely

Jennifer Watkins
Team Leader
Enforcement and Licensing

Jennifer Watkins | Team Leader | Enforcement and Licensing | Private Rented Services | Services for Communities | 3rd Floor Chesser House | 500 Gorgie Road | Edinburgh | EH11 3YJ | Tel: 0131 529 7340 | Fax: 0131 469 5146 | E-mail: jennifer.watkins@edinburgh.gov.uk

[Poppy]

A year ago

See that 6 John St is again up for sale... OO £750k.

And now it is again!! Fixed price £875,000 this time.

[Sandra]

A year ago

See that 6 John St is again up for sale... OO £750k.

And now it is again!! Fixed price £875,000 this time.

Poppy its been up for sale for a few months at £875k

[Poppy]

How bizarre when he's still trying for HMO?!

[teddygirl]

Well I heard that he had been made an offer and refused it so maybe he doesn't really want to sell at all.

[Scorpion]

It's in the news again http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/lates ... 4689887.jp

[BeachBum]

It's in the news again http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/lates ... 4689887.jp

Thats what I love about the Evening News, such accurate reporting details.

Mark Turley, the council's director of community services

[BeachBum]

So its not just porty where people dont want homeless hostels.

Evening News, 8/12/08. Neighbours first to stop B & B turning into homeless hostel.