Eighty-year-old June Brown is fighting for her and her fellow elderly tenants with mobility issues - one of whom is 99 - not to be forced to leave their very sheltered housing in Comrie. Caledonia Housing's board will meet on Thursday, August 13 to determine the future of its sheltered and very sheltered housing schemes in Comrie, Scone and Perth.
Tenants 'worried, stressed, upset'
Speaking on behalf of her fellow Cameron Court tenants, June said the uncertainty was taking its toll and they were "all worried, stressed, upset and losing sleep". Campaigners have questioned why a successful service is under threat despite reporting a surplus of over £1.8m for its last reported financial year.
Tenants, families, councillors and the local community of Comrie have expressed "deep concern" over the future of the very sheltered housing service at Cameron Court and the sheltered housing service in Almond Place and Tay Place. Comrie has one of the highest proportion of older residents of any village in Scotland.
June's story
June Brown - who hails from St Helens - enjoyed holidays in Comrie before deciding to move to the picturesque village 21 years ago. She lived in one of the sheltered housing cottages on Almond Place for 14 years before moving across to Cameron Court - to get more support - in October 2025.
Caledonia Housing Association's Housing Services and Support manager Jenna Kennedy wrote to Comrie tenants in May - as well as those at Canal Street, Perth and Corrie Place, Scone - to inform them a review of its sheltered housing and very sheltered housing services was under way. There are 48 one-bedroomed bungalows and flats at the Comrie complex which includes facilities such as a residents' lounge, dining room, laundry and garden.
And, for June, the delicious homemade meals provided in the dining room for Cameron Court residents are one of the highlights. June - who has complex medical needs - said: "Everyone is worried, anxious and depressed. When we go for our meals, I try to get everyone to talk and keep them upbeat. We're 99, 96, 89, 80 and 74. We've all got mobility problems and a couple have slight dementia. We all want to end our days here. One of the ladies said to me the other day, 'I feel so privileged to stay here'."
Campaign concerns
A campaign spokesperson argued the approach taken by tenants such as June, to be able to move from sheltered through to very sheltered support within the same scheme, "delivers exactly the type of preventative social care that both the Scottish and UK Governments say they wish to see helping older people live independently, reducing pressure on health and care services and giving families confidence that loved ones are safe while remaining part of the community".
The spokesperson added: "At a time when politicians across the UK are talking about reforming social care, it seems extraordinary that one of Scotland’s most successful examples of community-based care could be undermined, even dismantled." Campaigners repeatedly asked for a breakdown of the costs of the Comrie provision but say they were told this information could not be provided. The spokesperson added: "If the costs cannot be identified at service level, it is difficult to understand how the financial case for such a significant decision can be properly evaluated."
Pointing to Caledonia Housing Association’s published accounts, which report a surplus of over £1.8m in 2024/25, the spokesperson said: "Local people are struggling to understand why a charity reporting a substantial surplus appears to be considering withdrawing a service that so many vulnerable older people rely upon." Strathearn ward councillor Stewart Donaldson has met with tenants. The SNP councillor said: "It is the tenants in the very sheltered housing at Cameron Court that is a particular concern. Tenants ought to have security of tenure."
Caledonia's response
A spokesperson for Caledonia Housing Association said: "We have been reviewing the sheltered and very sheltered housing services provided at some of our schemes in Comrie, Scone and Perth to consider how the current model operates and whether it continues to meet the needs of tenants, both now and into the future. Our current very sheltered housing model has been in place since the 1990s. During that time, the needs of tenants, alongside the wider housing, health and social care landscape, have evolved. The purpose of the review is to ensure our services continue to support tenants to live safely, comfortably and independently.
"The review has been informed by a wide range of evidence, including feedback from tenants and families, consultation meetings, discussions with local stakeholders, operational performance information and financial data. We have also engaged with community representatives, elected members and partner organisations throughout the process. No decisions have been made regarding the future of these services. The consultation process continues, and all feedback received will be carefully considered before recommendations are presented to the board.
"We understand and appreciate this process can cause concern for tenants and other stakeholders. Throughout the process so far, speaking to tenants about any questions or concerns they have and listening to their feedback has been vital and we continue to do this. Their feedback will play an important role in informing any next steps."
