Housing associations axing vital services after cuts by Glasgow City Council

Housing associations in Glasgow are having to restrict or end some vital services after the council imposed a £2 million cuts agenda.

Thenue Housing Association, which offers both general and supported accommodation, said cuts to its budget by up to 40% means it can no longer provide an essential service.

Other housing associations have yet to respond but it is thought many will have to cut staff and services to make up the shortfall.

Cuts of more than £36,000 to its budget means Thenue will remove housing officers from their retirement homes, meaning residents will have to get supported care elsewhere.

With the council cutting our grant funding by 40%, the service in its current form is not sustainable - Thenue Housing

Tenants will be referred to external agencies – or foot the costs for care themselves.

More than 100 residents make use of sheltered housing at two of Thenue's sites in Bridgeton and Calton.

Four housing support staff face redundancy.

A spokesman for Thenue Housing said that its priority at all times was the wellbeing and housing needs of its sheltered housing tenants.

He added: "Thenue has recorded a consistently strong performance on the delivery of sheltered housing as borne out by the Care Inspectorate. Our sheltered housing service has been inspected three times since 2009. On all three occasions the service has been awarded a "very good" grade.

"However, with the council cutting our grant funding by 40%, the service in its current form is not sustainable.

"We are consulting with our sheltered housing tenants on an alternative which we hope will provide the very best service we can within current financial constraints".

A city council spokesman said: "As currently delivered, the housing support service does not fit with our need to focus on early intervention and prevention services.

"Residents without any social care needs at all are receiving support through this service, which runs against our approach of targeting valuable resources at those with substantial and critical needs.

"There is also no emphasis on the kind of recovery and rehabilitation work that is now a standard feature of social work practice as it helps people move on from requiring support.

"The executive committee decided last month that £3m will remain in the budget for the housing support service.

"We are in detailed dialogue with housing support providers on how this money can be spent most effectively."