Grandmother died in ‘hated’ temporary housing
A grandmother with cancer died in a rotten flat after the council failed to fix her family home for three years.
Winifred ‘Winnie’ Wilson, 91, passed away while living in a damp-ridden Fulham council block after delays to fixing her leaking and crumbling home.
Winnie and her daughter, Sue Roberts, 67, were moved into the cramped, two-bed flat five months ago after Hammersmith and Fulham council promised to fix their council home nearby.
Winnie, who suffered from cancer and dementia, spent her final days on a hospital bed in the living room of the temporary flat, where Sue said she was confused and uncomfortable.
Sue said she was heartbroken that her mum died away from home while the council, which owns the building, has still not fixed it.
She has been fighting for three-and-a-half years for the authority to repair multiple leaks and cracked ceilings at the house, which she shares with her son and three granddaughters.
Sue said: “It’s three-and-a-half years too late and five months too late for mum. They go around saying things but doing nothing. It’s like groundhog day.
“They have not done a thing in this house for five months. The damp’s still in the kitchen. I don’t know where to go. I have moved back into the house because I can’t bear it in that flat.
“The whole process of having to try and look after mum and keep her calm knowing there’s chaos all over was difficult. It took my time away from mum. I’m quite bitter now that mum passed away. I think moving her like that helped her on her way. She hated that flat.”
Winnie passed away on February 26 A council spokesman said: “We are deeply sorry for Ms Roberts’ loss and apologise again for the extended duration of the works to fix her home. The property has very complex issues that unfortunately require major repairs.
“We have been speaking to or visiting Ms Roberts at least once a week to provide updates and ensure the repairs are in good order and progressing. We will do our utmost to ensure the family gets settled and all issues resolved as soon as we can.”
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
