"JUST to sit watching television we have to wear a scarf, gloves, fleece and housecoat", is how one Chay Blyth Place resident describes a typical night in her freezing cold home.
It is just one of several complaints from tenants who claim to be shivering in houses which they cannot afford to heat – as a result of old-fashioned electric storage heaters.
Kelly Ferguson told the Hawick News: "The temperature in my house is ne
ver over 15 degrees. The heaters warm up at night, but it's cold from the minute we get out of bed until the minute we go back to bed."
And this is despite asthma sufferer Kelly spending around £30 every week in an attempt to stay warm.
Councillor Stuart Marshall says such "sub-standard" heating is not acceptable. He told the Hawick News: "This is an area which houses young families and single parents who struggle to make ends meet. They don't need large bills from electric storage heating, which is antiquated and expensive."
According to SBHA chief executive Janice Chairman, the Chay Blyth homes – installed with storage heating by the former Roxburgh District Council – are not unpopular with all tenants, and meet the required energy rating standard. "Consequently, it is completely wrong to claim they are the cause of asthma," she said.
A spokesperson for Waverley Housing added: "The heating meets Scottish Housing Quality Standard, and a review is conducted annually."
FULL STORY IN THE PAPER
