TORFAEN MP Paul Murphy and Lynne Neagle AM visited sheltered housing residents who fear they are to lose their homes.

Bron Afon announced they are looking into alternative uses for some of their retirement schemes in the borough because of a lack of demand.

The four schemes are Sid Griffiths Court in Garndiffaith, Ivor Gardens and Kennard Court in Blaenavon, and Tan y Coed in Pontnewynydd.

Mr Murphy said: “People do get worried as they get older. They become frightened of the future. They need to be given real reassurances.

We have serious housing shortages in Torfaen, so surely we could try to match suitable people for these voids if the age range was lowered slightly. It is the duty of Bron Afon to listen very carefully to residents.”

Ms Neagle said: “There has been no period of consultation and there is the perception a decision has already beenmade. I have had several people visit me, saying they are desperate for accommodation like the properties within the schemes.”

Bron Afon said in the last four years 44 of the flats at the schemes had been empty 55 times, costing £152,000 in lost rent.

Bill Edwards, 70, who has lived in Tan Y Coed for eight years, said: “If Bron Afon had come in and said their main concern was filling the flats andwewouldn’t have to leave then it wouldn’t have caused such a problem. It could have been made much clearer.”

Joan Bartlett, a resident of Kennard Court, said: “The information we are being given needs to be consistent.

People have been told different things so we won’t know where we stand until Bron Afon get it together. All I know is I don’t want to move.

It’s a lovely place to live.”