Tenants praise WLHP staff for response to devastating flood

Tenant Jane Hendrie has moved back to her home in Broxburn a year after a devastating flood and has praised the response of West Lothian Housing Partnership (WLHP) staff.

Ms Hendrie and her neighbours in Pyothall Court were hit by severe flooding last August following heavy rain.

Pictures from the day showed submerged cars on the street and residents being rescued from their homes by boat.

Staff from WLHP, part of Wheatley Group, joined the emergency services and council staff on site on the day, doing everything possible to help distressed residents, making sure they were safe and had somewhere to stay.  

In the following days, WLHP staff provided emergency payments to customers where needed, found new homes for people affected and worked closely with West Lothian Council partners to find temporary homes for others.

Now, all residents have moved back home – and are delighted with the way WLHP responded to the crisis.

Ms Hendrie, 72, a retired supermarket worker, moved to a temporary home in Uphall with partner Billy while her home in Pyothall Court was repaired.

Jane said: “I’m so glad to be back home. On the day of the flood, we had water up to our knees – our neighbour next door had water up at the top of the radiator. WLHP staff were great. I’m very happy with how they responded.

“They were here every day after the flood, always asking us all what they could do to help. They helped empty our house and took damaged goods away.

“We came back to Broxburn earlier this month, and the house is like a brand-new home – new windows and back and front doors, new flooring, and new kitchen units too. WLHP were very helpful.”

Around a dozen homes were affected by the food, with eight needing extensive repair work.

The homes needed several months to thoroughly dry out before specialist engineers made sure they were structurally sound and new walls, floors, bathrooms and kitchens were installed as required.

All the work was carried out all while following Scottish Government Covid restrictions.

Lynsey Fotheringham, WLHP’s Head of Housing, said: “We did everything we could to make sure customers were safe and well after this major incident.

“It was a real team effort from WLHP staff and dozens of colleagues from across Wheatley to help people affected by the flood. 

“Housing staff, repairs staff, our environmental teams, pulled out all the stops to make sure our customers had everything they needed.

“I’d also like to thank our partners at West Lothian Council for their help in arranging decant homes for some of our customers.

“I’m delighted everyone has moved back home.”