Loneliness, safety concerns, transport costs and a lack of laundry facilities are among the problems facing people from Brighton and Hove in emergency housing in Newhaven.
They were highlighted in a report focusing on the experiences of dozens of people living in Kendal Court, Newhaven, where seven people died in two years.
Councillors discussed the in-depth report when Brighton and Hove City Council’s Housing and New Homes Committee met at Hove Town Hall this afternoon (Wednesday 16 January).
The report included comments from 29 people from Brighton and Hove who have been housed at Kendal Court and who were interviewed by East Sussex Community Voice, a community interest company set up by the independent local watchdog Healthwatch East Sussex.
Parents housed at the site were worried about drug users living there, the lack of facilities for children, feeling isolated and a lack of emergency contact.
Labour councillor Peter Atkinson, a mental health nurse, said: “There are different needs. Some people need to see their relatives and others need to be away from negative influences.
“Isolation is a good thing for some while others want to stay with their groups of friends.”
He was struck with the need for laundry facilities after reading that the majority of people surveyed were unhappy.
One mother with a toddler had not been told there were no laundry facilities in the building and no laundrettes in Newhaven.
Another described taking the bus to Seaford which they said made them feel angry, frustrated and “like a non-person”.
Conservative councillor Mary Mears shared her concerns about laundry and said that the homeless charity Off The Fence offered mobile showers and laundry.
She said: “There are organisations that have facilities they can move around.
“We could have a discussion with them. One shower and one laundry would be a fantastic way forward.”
Fellow Conservative Dawn Barnett suggested finding out the costs of a communal service wash where everyone who wanted could have their clothes cleaned.
She was told individual washes would cost £15 but officers would look into a communal option.
Labour councillor Julie Cattell raised concerns about victims of domestic violence from Brighton and Hove, who have support from Rise, moving out of the charity’s support area.
Over the years, I have walked around every do called ‘problem estate’ in Brighton, Hove and Portslade. I have never had any trouble or met any problem in any of them.
This one in Newhaven, is one I’m glad I never had to revisit again.
There is no reason ANY council estate can’t be as good as the private estates.
It’s just an handful of people that drag them down!
In Deptford the council had the bright idea of putting all those who had trouble managing rent or were antisocial into what was known as a sinker estate. A group of Tower blocks which became infamous for suicide, flat burning, drug dealing and violence. That was a failure thirty five years ago. If we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat the mistakes. Everyone should be treated equally regardless of what recent or past trauma has put them in such a vulnerable position as having to go where the council thinks to send them.