People whose homes back on to a street lived in by respite houses containing adults with complex needs have signed a petition to have them home after a number of incidents
A naked man running into a woman’s house is the latest incident to have upset residents whose homes back on to a street containing adults with complex needs.
People in Efford, Plymouth say they have been disturbed for months by “continuous screaming” and “distressing” scenes at the respite homes in the grounds of Douglass House. The homes back onto residential streets and were built in 2023 by Plymouth City Council, designed to support adults with disabilities and complex needs.
However neighbours have raised safety and noise concerns after clients made their way out of the properties, which provide emergency accommodation for people waiting for appropriate housing, unsupervised. Resident Katrina Whitehouse, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 38 years, told PlymouthLive: “There’s been violence and unrest.
“A lot of people have been negatively affected by these bungalows, it’s distressing and the clients themselves must be terrified too. The bungalows don’t seem suitable for the secure needs of the clients. One client got out and got into a local woman’s home recently. He was naked – she was terrified. There’s screaming and shouting at all hours and we’ve been putting up with this for months.”
Residents say that more than three streets have been affected, and the community highlighted “negative impacts” on their mental health as well as sleep deprivation, leading to more than 50 neighbours signing a petition. Mum-of-two, Mia Elliott lives near to the bungalows and described the recent unrest as “horrific”.
The 21-year-old said: “A lot of people living here are unhappy. It’s been so noisy and unsettling, at times, horrific. People come and go in the bungalows so nothing gets settled, this doesn’t seem to be the right environment for these temporary homes, this is a family area.”
A Plymouth City Council spokesman said: “The two bungalows at Douglass House were built in 2023. They are not permanent homes and are designed to support adults with disabilities and complex needs by providing a place where people can receive short-term respite care or emergency accommodation while they wait for appropriate housing.
“Everyone who stays at the bungalows receives support from staff who are part of their existing care team, however we know that there have been a number of issues recently and apologise for any disruption caused to local residents. We are working closely with our partners in health and social care to resolve these issues as swiftly as possible and minimise any disruption in future, while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the people who are staying with us.”
