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1 month ago
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A 14-year-old boy with leukaemia was unable to be discharged from hospital following his chemotherapy treatments due to the 'filthy and dangerously unsuitable' condition of the family's emergency accommodation. The North London property was 'infested with cockroaches and rats' and had raw sewage leaking from the pipes but the council told the family they still 'didn't meet the threshold' for priority housing.
Barbara Wright, 56, and her three sons were made homeless on her birthday in July 2024 after the landlord of their private rental home decided to sell up. Barbara had suffered from two brain aneurysms the previous year so could no longer work as a teaching assistant. Her marriage subsequently broke down and, following the eviction, she was forced to apply for emergency accommodation through Brent Council. She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "The stress of life took its toll on me and after that everything spiralled down hill."
The council housed Barbara and her three sons, aged 23, 16, and 14, in emergency accommodation on Chapter Road in Willesden but it had major issues with a 'cockroach and rat infestation, raw sewage spilling out of the pipes and mould'. Barbara said: "The place was nasty and dirty, it was disgraceful. It was not liveable for human beings but my housing officer just did not care."
Then in November of 2024 her youngest son was diagnosed with leukaemia and spent six weeks in University College London Hospital to receive chemotherapy. However, Barbara was advised that the treatment would mean he was prone to infection and claims the hospital 'was not willing to discharge him' into the accommodation provided by the council.
Barbara said: "The hospital was saying that when the chemo kicks in it's going to wipe his immune system and he has to be in a clean environment. Where we were living was not clean so I didn't know how that was going to work."
Following visits to the emergency accommodation by staff at the hospital, Barbara claims they refused to discharge her son to the property which eventually prompted Brent Council to find the family alternative living arrangements - but only after it had initially 'dug its heels in'. In December 2024 the family were moved into a one-bedroom property in Anansi House, Harlesden, but once again complained about its condition.
Barbara claims there were again issues with cockroaches, the communal areas were 'dirty and unkept', and the washing machines were broken meaning she couldn't wash their clothes. Due to the family's health conditions and financial situation, Barbara then requested to be moved up the housing priority band - from a Band C to Band A - but the council refused as they 'didn't meet the threshold' and she says she was told it would be 17 years before she could get social housing.
'Outrageous and disgraceful'
Barbara said: "I was told by my housing officer that there aren't any places in the borough and we would have to go to Milton Keynes but I had to attend hospital appointments with my son. We had appointments every day for chemo. We were there Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day. Every day."
She added: "I have lived in Brent for 34 years, my children go to school and college here. We have friends and family here, our entire support network is in the borough. We just need a home. [...] The way Brent Council treats vulnerable residents is outrageous and disgraceful."
Brent Council's Housing Allocation Scheme outlines that Band A priority is granted on medical grounds 'only in exceptional circumstances' and when the applicant or member of their household 'has a life threatening condition which is seriously affected by their current housing'. Barbara believes her situation should qualify her under these terms.
Brent Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Residents' Service, Cllr Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, told the LDRS: "Barbara and her children have been through a distressing time. Regrettably, their experience is symptomatic of the housing crisis that is engulfing London, with simply not enough affordable homes available for those that need them most."
She added: "We have been working with Barbara's housing provider to address her concerns and we are working closely with Barbara to find a long-term solution to the housing needs of her family."
Since reaching out to the LDRS, Barbara and her family have this week been found a new three-bedroom private property at social rent levels. Following the move, she said she was frustrated it took enquiries by the media for her to get help: "The council needs to be more clear and transparent about what information they give to people because I wasn't made aware that being placed on the homeless register also qualifies me for the separate social housing register. I'm a key worker with a sick child and they didn't even tell me I can apply for social housing."
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