The Mayor of Kingston has branded the collapse of a scheme to house homeless families in a disused sheltered housing block “embarrassing”, and blamed Kingston Council after residents got “the wrong end of the stick”.

Councillors voted in February to convert Roupell House, in Florence Road, so that it could house up to 26 homeless families who are currently staying in B&Bs outside the borough.

A consultation was run into the proposals over the summer, but the plans were abandoned after a petition was set up by residents criticising the scheme.

Sunday, July 31: Sheltered housing conversion could give homes to 26 families

Mayor Geoff Austin, who is also a North Kingston councillor, said that it was the authority’s decision to house people in the block while the consultation was taking place that misled residents.

He said: “Unfortunately, some people had the bright idea that we had some people who were proving difficult to house so we will put them in there on a temporary basis.

“It was frustrating that it wasn’t put over well and people did get the wrong end of the stick.

“They had every right to complain and raise a petition. It’s embarrassing for us. Everyone was very angry.”

Built in the 1970s, the building is considered by the council as no longer appropriate for older people, for reasons including having no lift access.

Protesting residents claimed “several roads” were missed out of the consultation process, though the council says that engagement began in April with 1,500 letters being sent out.

Cllr Cathy Roberts, cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “We recently held a consultation on the future use of Roupell House and following the outcome from this, we have agreed to review the proposals for this building.

“We are now working to provide a solution which will result in a better outcome for this building and for the local residents.”

Sarah Lawrence, 44, of Willoughby Road, helped set up the petition before Kingston Council scrapped the scheme.

She said: “The whole thing was kind of rushed through – before you knew it they had actually moved people into the house. There was no information.

“It’s not appropriate for those families anyway. People are quite passionate about it.”

Former care worker Gary Rogers was one of seven residents moved into Roupell House temporarily in July after he was made homeless.

He said he has been left “disgusted” by neighbours’ perception towards him and his fellow occupants since he moved in.

Kingston Council says “suitable, alternative” accommodation will now be found for them.

Mr Rogers said: “They weren’t aware what type of people were intended to be put in here.

“I think it’s been very poorly run.”

Revised options will be presented at a housing sub-committee meeting in the future.