The Agnes Hunter Trust has agreed the sale of their complete portfolio of 92 properties in Lorne Street to Places for People Scotland, ensuring all residents can stay in their homes.
The Trustees of the Miss Agnes Hunter Trust have announced the sale of the Trust’s property portfolio in Leith, Edinburgh to Places for People Scotland, a subsidiary of Castle Rock Edinvar, one of Scotland’s leading housing associations and a registered charity.
The property portfolio consists of 92 properties which the Trustees have been looking to sell to concentrate on the Trust’s charitable purposes in accordance with the wishes of Miss Agnes Hunter. The Trust is a grant-making Charitable Trust set up by her Will in 1954 with the sole purpose of financially assisting charitable organisations which support health and social welfare in Scotland.
Commenting, Secretary of Lorne Community Association, Melanie Weigang said: “We are absolutely thrilled about the good news received today from the Agnes Hunter Trust and Places for People Scotland. After 18 months of uncertainty the future of our homes and our community has been secured.
“We would like to thank all our fantastic supporters for standing by us and in particular our MSP Ben Macpherson for his tireless efforts and support.”
Walter Thomson, Chairman of the Miss Agnes Hunter Trust, said: ““The Trustees have considered the offer carefully and are confident that Places for People Scotland and its associated organisation Castle Rock Edinvar have the expertise and resources to take management of the property portfolio forward and that the sale is in the best interests of the tenants.
“Places for People Scotland has confirmed that the sale of the property portfolio will not affect the lease agreement and rights of the tenants.
“We have written to the tenants informing them of the sale and advising that The Miss Agnes Hunter Trust will remain their landlord until the settlement date of 28th November 2016 after which tenancies will transfer to Places for People Scotland. Our agents Rettie & Co will be writing to each tenant with the full details.
“The sale will enable the Trustees to carry out the specified wishes of Miss Hunter by maintaining the financial grants to registered charities which support people suffering from arthritis and cancer, physical disability and mental health problems or learning disabilities, or which provide youth education and training for disadvantaged people. Currently grants amount to around £350,000 each year.”
Alister Steele, Managing Director of Castle Rock Edinvar/Places for People Scotland, has also written to the tenants introducing their new landlord. He said: “We are pleased to be able to finally announce the purchase of the 92 properties from Agnes Hunter Trust and end a period of uncertainty for the residents. We have a proud track record in investing in Edinburgh’s housing stock and in managing the purchase of tenanted housing.
“We will now begin a dialogue with the residents to give reassurance on our commitment to the future of the properties and to discuss our services and investment plans. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh for their help on this matter.”
Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government and Housing said: “I have been closely following the issue of the sale of the homes in Lorne Street by the Agnes Hunter Trust, and the welfare of the tenants, and I have met both the local MSP and MP on this matter to offer Scottish Government support.
“I am therefore delighted to hear that Castle Rock Edinvar HA, through its subsidiary Places for People Scotland, has agreed to purchase the homes from the Trust and will both retain the homes in the affordable sector and begin a programme of upgrading. I would like to congratulate Castle Rock Edinvar HA, Places for People Scotland and all those involved in this matter, including the City of Edinburgh Council, for their hard work and am pleased that the tenants now have some security in order to plan for the future.”
The city council’s former housing spokeperson Cllr Cammy Day said: “I am really pleased that we have reached a positive solution for the residents of Lorne Street. The Council and our partners have been working closely with tenants since they first approached us over a year ago with concerns that they might be made homeless. I am delighted that AHT and Castle Rock have reached this decision which will ensure that the tenants are able to remain in their homes, I know what a close-knit community they are.”
The Trustees’ original decision to sell the properties was taken to safeguard the ability of the Trust to maintain the payment of grants to charities in line with the purposes outlined by Miss Agnes Hunter when she set up the trust in 1954.
In the first phase the Trustees planned to sell individual properties on short term tenancies in a rolling programme over three to four years. Since November 2015 the Trustees have invited interest from housing associations in a possible bulk sale of the remaining portfolio and they are delighted that a mutually beneficial outcome with Places for People Scotland has now been agreed.
Local MP Deidre Brock said: ““I’m thrilled to bits to hear this news. What a fantastic day for the tenants of Lorne Street who have been worried about eviction since June last year. Now that Places for People Scotland is taking on the properties they can finally unpack their bags and start planning for Christmas without this shadow hanging over their homes.
“This result is down to sheer hard graft, determination and lots of goodwill from everyone involved – the residents, the trustees, the council, housing associations, partner agencies and the Scottish Government.
“As someone who was involved in many of the meetings– including getting the Housing Minister on board – I know just how much work went on behind the scenes. There were plenty of false dawns, disappointments and bumps along the way, but the residents just rolled up their sleeves and got on with it – they never gave up hope that a solution could be found.
“This is a great example of everyone working together for a common goal – it was an amazing team effort and I congratulate everyone involved.
“Leith is a great place to live because of its people and this result shows us why. Lorne Street tenants were determined to keep their community together and today their community is all the stronger for it.”
Local MSP Ben Macpherson is also celebrating the outcome. He said: “It is fantastic and a relief that this agreement has been achieved for the residents of Lorne Street, who have campaigned so hard over the last year. They will now be able to, rightfully, continue living in their homes with the security of knowing that they will not be evicted.
“The Lorne Community Association (LCA) have worked tirelessly to resist the proposed evictions in Lorne Street. It was my pleasure to celebrate and highlight their efforts by selecting Melanie Weigang, Secretary of LCA, as my local hero a few months ago.
“The achievement of this agreement is down to the residents who have campaigned long and hard to have their voices heard, keep their homes and keep the Lorne Street community together. Praise must also be given to many of the other elected representatives who have helped the residents during their campaign – Deidre Brock MP, many local councillors, Kevin Stewart MSP (Minister for Local Government and Housing) and former MSP for the area, Malcolm Chisholm.
“The Lorne Street campaigners have been at the forefront of my mind since this time last year. I am very pleased to have been able to support the residents in any and every way I could throughout their campaign, and I am delighted for the community that a positive solution has been achieved. I would also like to greatly thank the Scottish Government for their help and support.”
Places for People Scotland, a subsidiary of Castlerock Edinvar Housing Association, has confirmed the sale will not affect the lease agreement and rights of the tenants. The transaction is due for completion on 28 November.
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