AIBU to not want to have homeless people with complex needs placed in the house next door to me?

[StressedandNameChanged]

I live in a 2 storey terraced house in a small residential street in an area with lots of rows of similar small terraced houses. It’s not the smartest area of town and hasn’t had the best reputation, but it was affordable when we moved here over 15 years ago, and we have been happy here. I live with my dh, and my youngest ds 12.

The end terrace house next door to me was bought by a private investment company earlier this year, and I recently found out that this was part of an organisation which combines property investment with supported housing. Following a lot of enquiries on my part, I found out that they planned to use the house as a house share for 5 vulnerable adults with complex needs and a history of homelessness. Complex needs means at least 2 of the following issues: substance misuse; history of offending; history of anti-social behaviour; mental health problems.

Communications with the organisations who will be managing the property have been problematic. They were initially very evasive, but once I had more info, the housing manager agreed to come to a residents’ association meeting to discuss the plans for the property. It didn’t go very well. On the agenda at the same meeting were problems with an existing supported housing project in the neighbourhood, where due to staffing issues and some challenging clients, the police are being called out every night.

The housing manager later offered to come and speak with dh and myself but as we were away at the time, we said we would arrange a date when we got back. Unfortunately, while we were away a neighbour put up some very offensive signs around the property, including some in my garden and went to the local paper. (This may be the same neighbour who has also been cutting cctv cables at the property). Since we got back we have tried to get in touch but no response. There is a meeting set up with the neighbourhood policing team and others, but the housing managers are not available to attend that either.

Meanwhile I have heard from elsewhere that at least one tenant would be moving into the property in 2 weeks’ time. I think the company running the property are trying to get it as a done deal with people living there before talking to anyone.

I know people can change and this is hopefully a good opportunity for the people who will be placed next door, but I also know there is no magic wand for people who have struggled with multiple serious issues for several years, and there will be relapses. I am worried about the location and the suitability of the property for this use. Most people who have suffered high levels of trauma and are trying to move away from a chaotic lifestyle want their own place where they can control their surroundings, not a shared house. I am worried about 5 vulnerable adults being housed together in a small Victorian terraced house with poor sound proofing. Many houses around here are used for student housing and they live 5 to a house, but they are groups of friends who choose to live together, and they can usually escape to their parents’ homes for a break. I know from experience the level of disruption just one tenant in a shared house can cause if they kick off, mainly to the other tenants but also to the neighbours. I am worried about some of the visitors they will attract. I am worried about the possible high turnover of tenants. I am worried about the potential disturbance for ourselves and other neighbours. I know what the streets around other hostels are like, and I will not feel safe if my street becomes like that. I am worried about the failure of the people managing the property to communicate, which doesn’t bode well if problems do occur. I am stressed out and losing sleep worrying about it.

Yes, I know I am being the very definition of a NIMBY, but I am amazed that this sort of facility can be placed in a residential street without any consultation with neighbours, the local authorities, the police or any existing services in the area.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira

You have either not read my posts or are totally buying on the fact the OP has now updated with more information. I still wouldn't have an issue with that list. I am still homeless (nothing has changed in the last couple of hours on that front). No police been around to our hostel banging down doors removing anyone that has complex needs who falls with in the list the OP shared in her second post.

I don't apologise for saying shitty areas; I've lived in a few, I loved them, but as has come out on this thread it's clear to think that people with complex needs should stuck within their boundaries.

The actual definition of Complex needs does include any definition of a physical illness along with another factor; so yes, people with asthma may well be classed as complex needs if they hit the second factor category.

And in my experience the staff are excellent at turning a blind eye

And in mine they aren’t. Your experiences are no more valid than mine. Mine aren’t more valid than yours. In fact, our differing experiences go to prove that jumping to conclusions is a bit silly really.

I used to live next door to a bail hostel. Took me 6 months to work it out, and I had to google the address - I thought they were just very security conscious with all the CCTV cameras.

That said, they were clearly both well behaved and well supervised because they knew they could be recalled to prison for almost anything. Supported housing for people who don't really have anything to lose would actually concern me more than the old rapists and murderers living next door to me.

Actually @DianaPrincessOfThemyscira It wasn't even me that said shitty areas, so there's definitely no ned to apologise!

@YeTalkShiteHen - if yours was no valid then mine why where you calling me a snob, and claiming that I didn't have any experience?

I didn’t, you read a post I made and presumed it was about you. If I’d meant it for you I’d have namechecked you. HTH.

YANBU OP, and I say that as I lived it myself. Years ago we were made homeless due to intimidation and the police had with to re house is on the same day. The temporary accommodation was a flat in a large terrace property and we ended up staying for 5 years. Loads of families came and went in that time but the ones who were made homeless due to anti-social behaviour of substance abuse brought a lot of trouble with them. We got our door kicked in several times as some of the families had enemies and the y didn't know whic h property was theirs. Although upon moving in we had to sign a no alcohol/drugs/parties contract this was not abided to either and the contract manager turned a blind eye.

@YeTalkShiteHen It’s interesting how people with personal experience of homelessness, or of living next to a house like OP describes are being shut down as “virtue signallers” by people quite happy to write off an entire group of people they know fuck all about, have never met and have no right to judge isn’t it?So call me a virtue signaller all you like. I’d rather be the kind of person who doesn’t write off people with complex needs and a snob. aimed at anyone who sees the problem with areas being turned into dumping grounds. HTH

That would be my nightmare OP and I don't blame you for being worried.
Maybe see how it goes but if it gets unbearable is moving a possibility.
Nothing worse than bad neighbours and living in a terraced it will undoubtedly affect you.

The fact is though that no matter how many people have been in this situation and it’s thankfully not been awful very few people would choose it and OP asks if she being U not to want it.
If I was buying a house then I probably wouldn’t buy one that I knew was close to this sort of place

FWIW I once shared a house with someone who had been in a bail hostel. She’d had an awful upbringing and her boyfriend (shared house) wanted her to move in.

Never had any problems at all.

OP may be unlucky with the tenants - and may not.

OP I’d also be interested in hearing how it goes (although I think you do need to hope your neighbour shuts up or he’s going to be causing problems).

For all the people saying OP is being unfair or a snob - have you ever lived near one of these houses or worked with the homeless. I have worked for CAB with the homeless and live near several of these homes, for every good tenant who wants to better themselves, there is a drug addict/alcoholic/ex-convict/general lowlife who has no interest in getting their life sorted. There are regular drug raids, fires and prostitution at the house at the end of my road, not to mention the burglaries, door to door conning of the elderly, muggings, intimidation....usually by these temporary residents. Why shouldn't OP be worried about this potentially happening next door? She might get lucky and have a house full of people who are genuinely in need and not taking advantage, but unfortunately, odds aren't in her favour.

Unfortunately OP there's not much you can do about it, I would perhaps speak to neighbours about setting up a neighbourhood watch and get CCTV. I would also make sure your fire safety devices are up to date - I say this as there is at least one fire a year at my nearest house.

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all . I wouldn’t even want fully functioning people living near me .
Unfortunately there is more money to be made from temporary housing and I’m not surprised developers have caught on to this . Why would you rent the house out to a family for £750 when you can rent it to 5 vulnerable adults for 300 each essentially doubling your income . I’m not sure what the answer is but I hope it’s not as bad as you’re imagining.

Oh and I've been homeless, so can see it from both sides. I was 19 and couldn't get placed because I wasn't pregnant, my MH issues weren't serious enough (despite bipolar and previous suicide attempts), didn't have any previous convictions and wasn't on drugs. Because I was wasn't ruined enough for their housing standards, I ended up sleeping in the woods or behind shops. Go figure.

@chicken75 I thought this might be immediately recognisable to anyone who lived locally, hence my name change, and trying not to give personal details of anyone else living locally.

Yes, my neighbour is a pillock. He has his own demons, but none of that justifies his behaviour. It won't necessarily be heroin addicts: 'substance misuse' covers a wider range of substances, and potentially the tenants will have the other problems but not addiction issues.

@scarbados do you not talk with your immediate neighbours?

I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was literally responding to the posts that you’d quoted my posts.

You said - some not all hostels are magnets for anti social behaviour. How is OP to know which is going to open next to her house?

You said - I’m buying in on an update from OP. Well for a start that is the nature of conversation; secondly, the definitions of ‘complex needs’ are actually laid out in the OP and that is where I copied them from.

I was referring to your comments of:

I therefore don't see how things can get worse. Or are the residents just going to start blaming the current behaviour on the new hostel tenants? If the are is like you have described already then I really don't understand the OPs views.

I didn’t read any of your other posts. I’m sorry you’re currently homeless. As I said before everyone deserves a roof over their head. But your experiences of homelessness don’t negate OP’s concern around living next door to a shelter for potentially anti social personalities. After all, if I’m to take your comments at face value that you’ve never had any issues then why can’t you take mine that I have?

PS we had local consultation with the council when they wanted to place a third shelter within a mile of my house. It was denied in the end. Because people objected. Not everyone that lives round here is a complete arsehole that hates homeless people.

Eycarumba I’m sorry for what you must have gone through but could you not find a room in shared house?

I think they should be putting houses like these in more affluent areas . Why is it always the same people to have to put up with this shit ?

We love very close to a house which is used for care leavers with some support. The amount of nuisance it creates is variable from nothing at all to quite a lot.

The biggest problem has been people hanging around the neighbourhood causing low level nuisance. This happens because it seems like guests are either not allowed or are restricted. The house looks like a facility from the outside rather than a family home and I imagine it strongly affects the closest neighbouring properties values.

It’s a bizarre location, not just a nice kind of area but one with a very high value indeed so, as a 4-5 bed semi, probably worth approximately 1.2m in its current run down condition.

Mostly I have to say it’s fine but I don’t actually live next door.

I'd be much concerned about the other neighbour. He sounds batshit.

Purple could you not find a room in shared house?

I don't know about her specific situation, but when I was in a similar situation I was scouting about constantly trying to find a room to rent. The main problems were high demand for rooms - they'd be let within minutes sometimes - a refusual to accept housing benefit (illness interfering with working), and a refusal to let to someone as young as 19.

WRT to location of hostels etc - I suspect there's more organised resistance in naicer areas.

Llama - do you really think depression is on a par with arson etc?!
Nope. But lying in the middle of the road wailing and obstructing traffic until police are called is anti social behaviour that isn’t typical of depression. The vast majority of depressed people don’t go around creating public order incidents.

Whats wrong with being a NIMBY?

I accept councils need to have rubbish dumps, pubs exist and many cities have airports. doesnt mean i would want to live next door to one..

I used to live in a flat in a row of terraced houses, most of which had been subdivided. On one side we were next to a care in the community facility for adults with severe learning difficulties. Never had any trouble with them (apart from one resident who was quite keen on going in the garden with no clothes on, which was only an issue because it was overlooked by a lot of other flats). Two doors down was a halfway house whose residents were no trouble at all. Everyone knew who they were and looked out for them, and we all had the number of the managers so we could call if we saw the residents in trouble.

If you can get the contact details of whoever runs in once people move in, they'll deal with any issues pretty quickly.

If they have children they would be concerned about needles lying about, empty beer cans everywhere, anti social behaviour in the middle of the night that wakes their kids,

That can happen anywhere though. Even in the nicest area, it only takes one person to rent their home out and be unlucky enough to get anti-social tenants moving in for the rest of the residents to have nuisance neighbours. The fact that this is supported accommodation makes it likely that such behaviour is more likely to be appropriately addressed before it gets out of hand.