Save Our Community: Plea From Lorne Street Residents
Over 200 residents of Lorne Street in Leith are facing eviction by the charity that owns their flats with some having already been served with eviction notices despite living there for decades.
The Lorne Street Community Association is trying to now raise the profile of the plight of the people and ensure a future in their properties; long-term.
MSP for Lothian, Alison Johnstone, has lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament calling for financial support for them but clearly the residents are still worried they could be kicked out at any time.
The Agnes Hunter Trust owns the building and funds its charitable donations through the rents it gets from its property portfolio.
Now they say they want to sell the properties because maintenance costs are too high but the residents are in the dark as to why, and think if they have to leave it could be just as expensive. The other little known fact is the charitable causes the Agnes Hunter Trust gives to includes combatting homelessness; the very problem they might cause if they evict the residents of Lorne Street.
Our reporter Shiona McCallum has been talking to Melanie Weigang who lives there and you can listen to the interview here: