PENSIONERS living in retirement housing have been left with no hot water or heating for several weeks, leaving them unable to wash.

Families have spoken of their concerns for the elderly at Goodmans in High Street, Great Wakering, which is run by Sanctuary Housing.

The residents have been provided with electric heaters, which they say is “eating” up electricity, as a stop-gap measure, but they have had no hot water despite Government advice to keep washing hands during the coronavirus pandemic.

A 54-year-old woman from Shoebury, whose 82-year-old mother lives in one of the flats, said: “This is disgusting that they can be treated this way.

“My mother has just come out of hospital and she had a fall which saw her on the floor until the carers came to get her up, which as a result left her really cold.

“The whole block has had no heating for weeks or hot water for weeks. Someone was supposed to come last week - they fixed it and it went off again the next day. My mum and others can’t even wash. I think this is an unacceptable way to treat such vulnerable individuals.”

The concerned daughter has also noticed a reduction in warden visits, but Sanctuary says this is because of social distancing.

It adds “housing staff are making regular calls to residents to check they are safe and well”. Residents can also use the built-in call system in their homes 24-hours-a-day. The relative added: “This home is meant to be warden-controlled but the warden has been cut to twice a week for a few hours.

“The electrics on the main door have been broken for about a week leaving these people with no other safety than their front doors.”

A Sanctuary Housing spokesman, said: “There have been intermittent issues with the heating and hot water recently at the Goodmans and we apologise for the disruption this has caused to the residents.

“We can reassure them we are doing all we can to rectify the situation, which we know is causing significant concern especially during these unprecedented times.

“Portable heaters have been provided and our staff are in regular contact with the contractor to ensure the repair can be fully completed quickly. Engineers are also attending to resolve the door entry system.”