‘It’s painful to see my mum go through this’: Family stuck in ‘uninhabitable’ temporary accommodation
A daughter living with her family in “uninhabitable” temporary accommodation has described the pain she feels for her mother who moved to the UK for a better life.
Bianca Ntiri, 22, lives with her mother, Munghenda Leba, 60, in Gilton Road, Catford.
The family were moved into the temporary accommodation – which is maintained by a private landlord – by Lewisham council more than 10 years ago.
Ms Ntiri says the flat is riddled with damp and mould and subject to constant leaks from burst pipes, with the flooring “coming apart”.
The university student, who is studying HR management, said: “I first complained to the landlord six years ago but all of my concerns are dismissed or ignored.
“As soon as we see the mould appear, we try to get rid of it. But there is no ventilation so we have to leave the window open otherwise it grows. So it gets freezing, especially in the winter.
“Last week I had to call the landlord because water was leaking through our floor into the flat downstairs. But he won’t do anything.
“It’s been so bad I couldn’t sleep because of my anxiety.”
Ms Ntiri’s mother moved from Congo to the UK in 1996 to find work and start a new life. Now a UK citizen, she works as a nurse in a care home.
Ms Ntiri said: “Most of her salary is going on rent. She’s supposed to be retiring, but she can’t.
“Seeing my mum going through this is painful. She has done so much just to live like this.
“She’s never missed her rent despite the conditions we’re being forced to live in, and we’ve been on the council waiting list for years. It’s unfair.”
There are currently about 11,000 people on Lewisham council’s housing register, waiting for a permanent home in the borough.
A spokesman for the council said: “Like all other councils, Lewisham is facing an acute and worsening housing crisis, and we do not have enough social housing to meet demand.”
Two weeks ago the family received a letter from the council informing them of a rent rise from £385 a week to a charge of £450 per week.
Ms Ntiri said: “It’s adding more anxiety to a stressful situation. We’re having to pay more when we are being refused repairs. It’s inhumane.”
A spokesman for Lewisham council said the authority was aware of the family’s case and apologised for the unrepaired leak in the property.
He said: “Our residents have a right to a properly maintained home. This is a property that we lease from a private landlord, and we are working with them to address the leak.
“We will be following this up with the landlord again and are in touch with Ms Leda to discuss the support that is available to our clients who are facing increasing housing costs.”
Pictured top: Wallpaper and plaster peeling away from the walls in Bianca Ntiri’s flat where she lives with her mother and brother (Picture: Bianca Ntiri)