ELDERLY residents are devastated after a housing giant revealed plans to demolish their sheltered housing scheme.

Eighteen people aged in their mid-60s to early-90s have been told they will have to leave their bedsits and one-bed flats in the Reid House complex in Ingleton, run by Yorkshire Housing, a social housing landlord.

Yorkshire Housing said the centre was ‘no longer fit for modern-day living’ and was likely to shut in July 2014 with three others in its portfolio.

Some residents told the Gazette this week that they had been having sleepless nights and been in tears at the prospect of leaving their friends.

The company, which has 16,000 properties, sent staff to speak with residents and pledged to rehouse them and offer financial and support packages totalling thousands of pounds.

But residents say a shortage of available Yorkshire Housing properties in Ingleton is likely to mean them having to leave and live miles away from the North Yorkshire village, where some have family.

Of three alternative properties that have so far become available for residents, one is 25 miles away in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, while the others are in nearby Bentham and Settle.

Resident Drew Kimber, 66, has lived at Reid House for 13 years. He has organised a petition which 300 people have signed so far.

He said the bill to bring Reid House up to standard is £300,000, yet the shareholders annual report for Yorkshire Housing in 2011-12 reported a £7million profit.

Mr Kimber said: “We all look after each other here. We help with each other’s washing, we have weekly coffee mornings and bingo, we go out shopping and on trips. We have birthday parties for residents. This community makes them feel safe and overcomes social isolation.”

Yorkshire Housing said the company was talking to other housing associations to try to minimise the distance some would have to move.

It said its focus was trying to identify the needs for each resident and their family and come up with an acceptable solution.

Celia Campbell, of Yorkshire Housing, said: “We have carefully considered all the options, but given the age, condition, and lack of demand for these schemes, it is not viable to invest in substantial repair and remodelling.

“There is no set deadline for the closure of these schemes and we do not plan to force anyone out of their home by a certain date. The timetable will be determined by the person’s housing, care and support needs as well as how and when these needs can be met.”

Christine Broadhead, of Age UK North Craven, said: “Moving from one home to another can be extremely upsetting for anyone, particularly for the older population. It can result in people losing the support systems and friends around them on which they rely.”

Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith said: “Yorkshire Housing have a plan in place to make sure these residents are given every option and they are committed to make sure they are all re-housed.”