Former Southwark council employee devastated after being ‘robbed of the chance to foster a child’

A former Southwark council employee has been left ‘devastated’, claiming the authority has robbed her of the chance to foster a child.

Holly Evans, a former Southwark housing officer, has been forced to leave her home of 14 years due to subsidence in a move that has left her “anxious and depressed about the future,” with no permanent residence.

“They have made me homeless and I now have to stay with different friends,” she said.

“I had qualified to be a foster parent but I had to resign because of all the housing issues. I was so close to getting a child and now it has all ground to a halt.

“The council have denied a child in need of having a home.”

Ms Evans, who is in her 60s, worked as a housing officer for Southwark council for 26 years, originally working as an onsite caretaker at Ullswater House near the Old Kent Road.

“When I worked for Southwark council, I would never have treated anyone the way they have treated me,” she said.

“They have messed me about, and I just can’t believe they have put me through this.

“To say I feel let down is an understatement. I feel devastated.”

Ms Evans originally reported subsidence at her rented property in Grove Park road, Camberwell, seven years ago, but was told at the time it wasn’t an issue.

Despite initially deeming the Victorian building safe, last month the council moved Ms Evans and her neighbours into temporary accommodation.

“The place is still standing seven years later, yet they suddenly decided to rush us out this year,” said Ms Evans.

“The council gave me a temporary property in West Dulwich but there are so many faults that I can’t move in.

“They were in such a hurry to get us out that they didn’t care where they put us.

“I’ve had to get rid of so many of my possessions in the moving process and the movers even broke some of my antiques in front of me.

“My new property has no gas or electricity, no water or lights in the kitchen or bathroom and rubbish and dirty beds in the bedroom.

“There was also an overwhelming stench of stale rolling tobacco, it’s awful.

“My old garden was my lifeline for whenever I felt anxious, but the new accommodation has no garden.

“They have told me I will need to stay in temporary accommodation for at least a year, but I don’t believe I will ever be allowed to move back to my old home.

“I feel depressed and anxious about the future and it is especially worrying in the middle of a pandemic.”

Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Southwark council’s cabinet member for homes and homelessness, said: “We identified an issue with the property some time ago and now, after a further safety survey, we need to carry out urgent safety works to the whole building which we need to be empty to do so.

“We have spoken in detail with all parties to ensure that suitable temporary accommodation is offered.

“Ms Evans has been offered, and accepted, temporary accommodation and we will continue to support her and the other tenants.”