​MSP step in as charity comes under fire over evictions

An MSP has lodged a motion in support of 200 Edinburgh tenants facing eviction by a charity.

Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, called on the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council to provide financial support for tenants of Lorne Street in Leith who face being evicted from their homes by the Agnes Hunter Trust.

The charity wants to sell the properties saying maintenance costs are too high.

Campaigners say the trust is refusing their request to give them a year to turn the homes into a local housing cooperative run by the community.

Instead the 200 tenants living in the homes have been given four months statutory notice to quit and find alternative rented accommodation.

The residents want security of tenure, and they must have time to work on that - Alison Johnstone

Johnstone said: “The residents of Lorne Street face an uncertain future, and understandably feel traumatised as they had thought their tenancies were secure. It's important we send a strong message of support to them.

“While it is welcome that the trust has agreed a moratorium on evictions until July, it must extend this if needed.

“The residents want security of tenure, and they must have time to work on that.

“I urge the Scottish Government to work with the City of Edinburgh Council to provide financial assistance to the residents to ensure a bright future for the community of Lorne Street.”

A petition with hundreds of signatures has been lodged with the council calling for the homes to be saved.

A spokesperson for the Agnes Hunter Trust said: “We have given assurances to Councillor Cammy Day and tenants that the trust will give tenants and the council up to 6 January 2016 to report back on the viability of and potential for a tenant’s co-operative at Lorne Street.

“The trust will reconvene in January to reassess all the information available to them at that time.”