Funding for items such as access ramps has been blocked

Tory MSP Alex Fergusson says that because Home in Scotland manages properties for a group registered in England it has not received funding.

He has asked the communities minister to address the "appalling situation".

A spokesman for Communities Scotland said it was in urgent discussions to ensure funding was made available.

Mr Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, highlighted the plight of residents in his area affected by the situation.

He said they needed relatively small amounts of money to allow proper access to all parts of their homes.

"It has come about because Home in Scotland manage a number of properties on behalf of the Home Housing Group, a landlord registered in England," he said.

"Until this year, Communities Scotland has been happy to fund aids and adaptations for disabled tenants where required."

Application refused

Now Mr Fergusson said the company had been advised to apply through Westminster because it is English-based.

However, because the houses are in Scotland that application had also been refused.

He said this meant disabled tenants could not have their houses altered to suit their needs.

A spokesperson for Communities Scotland said the situation had arisen because Home Housing was registered in England.

He added that a Scottish-registered housing association would have the same problem south of the border.