Angus Council using homeless as a patsy

Sir, – Angus Council’s habit of using the homeless as a patsy for all that ails its housing department is wearing a bit thin.

They are now being blamed for the council’s inability to collect rent money owed by tenants who do a moonlight flit then skip town to avoid their debt (“Council is battling a rising tide of debt racked up by tenants”, The Courier, March 19).

This is from the council that sold off the 11-bedsit Queens Close homeless units in Montrose for £110,000 after spending almost half a million pounds to refurbish the building following a fire in 2007.

The units had not seen a homeless person in residence since the refurbishment.

The demolition of the homeless unit at Guthrie Hill, Arbroath, in 2014 was another blow.

Now we have a councillor, Richard Moore, who thinks the homeless are responsible for the £2.4 million debt that grows by the year.

Mr Moore’s suggestion that the debt could be the result of repeat offenders claiming they are homeless to claim accommodation without intending to pay, and when pursued for the debt move on to another authority and do the same again is ridiculous.

For a Lib Dem councillor to suggest that “big brother tactics”, such as data matching with the DWP, be brought in to track homeless tenants is worrying.

It’s using a sledge hammer to crack a nut.

Angus Council’s strategic director Alan McKeown’s statement that council officers pursue these debtors assiduously flies in the face of reality.

Most of these people still stay in Angus and could be tracked down with a little more effort and commitment. Robert Alexander. 39 Barry Road, Carnoustie.

Queens Close homeless units in Montrose. The building was eventually sold at a significant loss.