A mum who has fled domestic abuse has voiced her fury at Reading council for leaving her and her family in cramped emergency accommodation.
The woman, 47, who asked to remain anonymous fled to Reading last December, and has been living in an ‘overcrowded’ apartment block.
She has been given a two bed flat in the building, which her, her two daughters aged 24 and 17, and her two year old grandson are sharing.
The mum is now pushing for Reading Borough Council to move her family into larger accommodation.
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The mum has argued that the flat is not suitable for her family, particularly her disabled grandson.
She said: “It’s been a nightmare. I’ve got a grandson who’s got severe cerebral palsy, and nothing is being done.
“The council are disgusting.”
She arrived in Reading from elsewhere in the country fleeing domestic abuse from a partner.
But she has since struggled with the cramped living conditions, and earlier this year complained that her grandson had been bitten by bedbugs in the flat.
She has raised the issue in a call with councillor Ellie Emberson (Labour, Coley), the lead member for housing.
According to the mum, cllr Emberson was ‘fuming’ at the way she had been treated.
More recently the mum has complained about trouble with neighbours – knocking on doors and the smell of cannabis wafting into their flat.
Although the family is set to be moved into three bedroom accommodation, the mum has blasted the council for not acting faster.
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She said: “It’s beyond a joke. If I could I’d go back but I can’t for safety reasons.
“They’re giving us false hope. Since I came here in fled in December I’ve had no help at all.
“I’ve just been shoved here and forgotten about.”
She has now lost trust in the council’s ability to help.
The mum said “I don’t believe anything they say.”
“They’re playing games with me and I’m not going to stand for it anymore.”
When a person fleeing domestic abuse comes to Reading, it’s the council’s responsibility to make sure they have adequate accommodation, with its duty of care made law in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
The council is currently working to move the family to a more suitable place.
A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council said: “The council has been helping the woman with her accommodation needs since she moved to the borough in December.
“We are in the process of helping her move from her original emergency accommodation into temporary accommodation elsewhere in the town.
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“We are currently making a number of improvements to upgrade the home allocated to her, including replacing a number of doors, work on the windows, decorating and garden improvements.
“The property is likely to be ready in the coming weeks, which has been communicated and she is satisfied with this plan.”
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