PATIENTS with mental health problems will be moved from their homes in west Hull later this year.
People living in the Anchor House care home and Anchor Court supported housing scheme, which are next door to each other in Anlaby Road, have been given notification they will be moved to alternative accommodation by November.
Riverside ECHG, which manages both premises, has notified patients by letter, explaining it is due to the condition of the buildings and a review of mental health services by the city council.
Both sites date back almost 30 years and their aging condition means more suitable premises could be found elsewhere in the city.
Riverside ECHG says Hull City Council will be looking for another organisation to look after the specialist needs of people living in Anchor House.
However, the care company will still be working with residents of Anchor Court and will be looking to find them places at other support housing schemes in Hull.
Sally Nicholson, Riverside ECHG's regional operations manager, said: "Anchor House care home will be closing.
"The supported housing service to the 12 clients at Anchor Court will continue, but based in newer accommodation, including at other Riverside ECHG support services in Hull and in move-on accommodation in the community, once clients are ready to live independently.
"The wellbeing of our customers is paramount in our planning.
"The closure will be phased over a six-month period, with each of the 36 customers at Anchor House having their own move-on plan, which they will be involved in.
"There will be no closure until everyone is rehoused."
Carl Fowler, 27, who is a resident of Anchor Court, says he is concerned about the changes.
Mr Fowler suffers from depression and has previously self-harmed.
He says the help he has received at Anchor Court has been invaluable.
"I haven't been really depressed in a while," he said.
"But because of the current situation, I am worried about relapsing.
"I've lived in Anchor Court for a year and four months and since I've been there, I've really been helped by them.
"The staff have been really helpful – when I feel unwell they really help me out."
Mr Fowler says he received his letter about the changes on May 27 and it arrived without warning.
He said: "I was gutted – I was really upset.
"It was a complete shock when I received it. None of us had an idea beforehand.
"I don't want to move anywhere else – I find it hard adapting to change and I don't like uncertainty.
"When you're comfortable and safe in a place, and you know it is working for you, it is worrying when you're told you're moving."
Riverside says it is very much involved in services in Hull and wishes to remain so.
Ms Nicholson said: "Riverside is committed to investing in Hull and we are expanding our other services to the people of Hull where our experience and investment can have greatest impact.
"For example, in our housing and support services for homeless people, like the 12 at Anchor Court, in the development of over 300 new extra care units for older people and in the provision of high-quality affordable housing across the city."
One of UK's biggest housing and regeneration group Riverside was established in 1928 as Liverpool Improved Houses. The organisation expanded in the 1970s and in 1996, following growth outside of Merseyside, the association was renamed Riverside Housing Association. The Riverside Group was formed in 2001 and is one of the largest housing and regeneration organisations in Britain. It manages and owners more than 51,000 hoes from Irvine in Scotland to Kent in England. It employs more than 3,000 members of staff.• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
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