Family lives in a damp home, children have health issues. Mum says she has waited 16 years for a better place.
Family lives in a damp home, children have health issues. Mum says she has waited 16 years for a better place.
Family Endures 16 Year Wait in Damp Home Kids Struggle to Breathe
Weini Asmelesh Abraha, a carer, lives in Nechells. Her family of five shares a two-bedroom house, where she sleeps with her son, and her three daughters share the other room.
They are listed as Band B, and Weini has been bidding for new places since 2008. However, a new home has never become available, and she’s been told to keep trying.
The home is a mess, she said, with dampness being a significant problem. Her kids sometimes cannot sleep or breathe, and she needs help to escape this poor situation.
A doctor and head teacher are concerned and wrote to the council for help. The head teacher stated that the house is not fit for the family.
The kids have health issues from the damp conditions. They have waited a long time for suitable housing, and the head teacher asked if anything could be done.
Weini says she complained soon after moving in. The black mold smells bad and is disgusting, even with open doors.
The council said she doesn’t clean well. Weini cleans well, despite having four kids, and feels they don’t believe her.
She wants a three-bedroom home. Her son needs his own space, and the girls could share a room, providing needed space for studying.
The council did 50,000 repairs last year, including 10,800 emergency jobs. They expect residents to help maintain their homes.
People must allow access for repairs and should prevent condensation buildup. The council completed Weini’s repairs quickly since gaining access.
Repair crews were denied access to her house, and denying access cancels scheduled work. An expert saw mold and low moisture, and blamed condensation.
The expert suggested light repairs like anti-mold paint. The council is “sorry” she needs two more bedrooms and suggests other housing options.
These options included private rentals, and they advised her to also consider other providers.
Weini Asmelesh Abraha, a carer, lives in Nechells. Her family of five shares a two-bedroom house, where she sleeps with her son, and her three daughters share the other room.
They are listed as Band B, and Weini has been bidding for new places since 2008. However, a new home has never become available, and she’s been told to keep trying.
The home is a mess, she said, with dampness being a significant problem. Her kids sometimes cannot sleep or breathe, and she needs help to escape this poor situation.
A doctor and head teacher are concerned and wrote to the council for help. The head teacher stated that the house is not fit for the family.
The kids have health issues from the damp conditions. They have waited a long time for suitable housing, and the head teacher asked if anything could be done.
Weini says she complained soon after moving in. The black mold smells bad and is disgusting, even with open doors.
The council said she doesn’t clean well. Weini cleans well, despite having four kids, and feels they don’t believe her.
She wants a three-bedroom home. Her son needs his own space, and the girls could share a room, providing needed space for studying.
The council did 50,000 repairs last year, including 10,800 emergency jobs. They expect residents to help maintain their homes.
People must allow access for repairs and should prevent condensation buildup. The council completed Weini’s repairs quickly since gaining access.
Repair crews were denied access to her house, and denying access cancels scheduled work. An expert saw mold and low moisture, and blamed condensation.
The expert suggested light repairs like anti-mold paint. The council is “sorry” she needs two more bedrooms and suggests other housing options.
These options included private rentals, and they advised her to also consider other providers.