A mother of three residing in West London has voiced her grievances regarding the local housing system, describing it as “broken” after being informed of her impending eviction from her home due to her landlord’s decision to reclaim the property. Shanice Aird, aged 31, has lived in a two-bedroom house in Feltham for nearly four years, but has encountered significant difficulties regarding both the condition of the premises and the adequacy of alternative housing offered by Ealing Council.

The house has reportedly been plagued with issues including mould, faulty electrics, and a vermin problem, raising serious concerns about safety and habitability. Shanice claimed that these matters not only affect her physical well-being but have also severely impacted her children’s health, leading to missed school days. She expressed her distress to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, stating, “It’s heartbreaking, especially as a mum, I feel like I’m failing my children. My kids miss school because they’re constantly ill, they get hurt by the cramped conditions in the house.”

Her grievances extend beyond the living conditions. The council had relocated Shanice and her children to this property in 2021 after she witnessed a violent incident outside her previous home, which has since resulted in her experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Shanice is also reportedly managing bipolar disorder. Despite alerting the housing management about the problems in the home upon moving in, she claimed that the issues have escalated over time, with serious hazards imposed on her family, including exposed electrical wires and overcrowding.

Shanice is the mother of a seven-year-old son, a five-year-old son, and a three-year-old daughter, who share a room that contains a triple bunk bed. The conditions in the home have reportedly led to accidents, including one incident where one of her children suffered a serious head injury from falling in their cramped living space. Additionally, Shanice has disclosed that her concerns regarding the properties offered as alternatives have also been disregarded. She stated that one of the suggested houses is located near the area where the traumatic stabbing incident took place, which has exacerbated her anxiety.

The council, according to Shanice, has offered limited support and was unable to provide a satisfactory resolution to her housing plight, telling her to bid for new accommodation through the Locata bidding platform. However, she remains in a precarious situation without a suitable alternative home. “We’ve been told to wait for a new property and just bid… but in that time we are in a tiny house with exposed electrics, mould, and we’ve even had mice get in through holes in the wall,” she highlighted in her discussion with the LDRS.

Shanice further claims that Ealing Council has contacted her regarding alleged rent arrears amounting to £136, a situation she disputes, asserting that her housing benefit directly covers her rent payments, which are set at £230 per week. She described the council’s claims as arbitrary, stating that they have failed to provide any supporting evidence for the alleged debt.

Previously, Shanice held a secure tenancy, which offers robust legal protections, but her current status is classified as a non-secure tenancy due to the nature of her reassignment by the council. This classification places her in a vulnerable position, enabling eviction without cause. After lodging a complaint with the housing ombudsman, she was informed of your temporary accommodation’s classification, a fact that has added to her distress.

As the uncertainties surrounding her housing situation continue to unfold, Shanice noted the toll it has taken on her mental well-being to the extent that she had to leave a former job that she found fulfilling. “I loved being an appropriate adult and helping domestic violence victims. I hate that because of all of this… I’ve had to stop doing something I loved,” she remarked. She is currently pursuing a law degree with the Open University but feels uncertain about her future stability and where she will be residing as she continues her studies.

Ealing Council has been approached for comment but had not responded by the time of publication. The challenges faced by Shanice Aird spotlight the ongoing complexities and pressing issues within the London housing system, raising critical questions regarding the availability and safety of accommodation for families in need.

Source: Noah Wire Services