Edinburgh mum stuck on housing list 'for years' in fear as council sell off homes

A mum has slammed Edinburgh City Council for selling off council housing in her community.

Donna Arnot, from Drum Brae, claimed she has been waiting for a council house since she was 18 years old. Now 42, she has requested a two bed house for her and her daughter in an area she grew up in and has access to childcare but so far has been unable to secure a council property.

To make matters worse, the mum claims at least two council homes have been sold off on Ardshiel Avenue and Dochart Drive in the past three years. This has left her feeling frustrated and let down by the council.

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But the local authority has argued their policy of selling off properties to increase their housing stock has been a success with the council selling 205 homes and purchasing 405.

They added that due to ‘extreme pressures on temporary accommodation’ they have now pulled out of selling homes which were not already under offer so they can be let out as temporary homes.

“I have been on the Edindex Council housing list since I was 18 and I’m now 42,” she said. “I’ve been told there are no two bedroom homes but I know of at least two council homes which have been sold off on Ardshiel Avenue and Dochart Drive with two-bedrooms.

“There must be hundreds if not thousands of people applying for two bed homes while they are being sold off. I’ve asked the council how they can be selling off properties when the right to buy has ended and a housing emergency has been declared?

“People are currently homeless and are being allocated hotel rooms while the council are selling properties. How is this going to solve the housing crisis?

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“I am so deflated by this situation and fear I may never be able to get a council house in an area where four generations of my family have lived. I cannot provide a permanent roof over my daughter's head.

“I’m scared for the future of social housing in Edinburgh because it is a mess just now. Never mind what it will be like for my daughter and the next generation.

“We have been in five properties in six years and I cannot afford private rent. I’m stressed and anxious in case another landlord decides to sell up.

“It is difficult to commit to a job as we do not know where we are going to be and my childcare is in Drum Brae. Edindex system is out of date and needs changing.”

Housing, homelessness and fair work convener Jane Meagher said Edinburgh is experiencing an unprecedented demand for social housing.

“Edinburgh may be a wealthy city on the surface, but we are seeing demand for homes far outstrip supply,” she said. “Since we introduced our acquisitions and disposals policy, we’ve managed to increase the number of much needed Council homes in the city by purchasing 405 homes and disposing of 205.

“By disposing of homes in blocks we’re a minority owner in, we can consolidate our housing stock and carry out common works to improve the quality of homes for our tenants. The funds we raise from these disposals are used to fund the purchase of other homes and any surpluses are reinvested to provide more affordable homes.

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“Due to extreme pressures on temporary accommodation, we’ve now withdrawn from the sale of homes which weren’t already under offer, and we’ll be letting them out as temporary homes until we dispose of them in the future.“

If you have issues securing a council house or issues relating to housing, contact Jacob.Farr@reachplc.com.