‘I don’t feel like a human’: Mothers in temporary accommodation say children suffering from overcrowded, flooding flats

Mothers living in a council-run hostel say their children are suffering from overcrowded conditions and flats constantly flooding from leaks.

Zaria Williams, 28, was moved into temporary accommodation in Hamilton Lodge, Conor Oak Road, by Lewisham council three years ago.

Last week council workers visited her flat 16 days after a leak burst through her ceiling flooding her home.

She said: “The ceiling caved in. My place has been underwater for weeks. 

“All my shoes are soaked, it was coming through the walls and the skirting. There was so much I couldn’t mop it up.”

Video shows Zaria Williams’ flooded flat last week (Picture: Zaria Williams)

The leak has been an ongoing issue since 2022, Ms Williams said.

She said: “Everyone in this building has leaks in their units.

“A family had to be evacuated last month because it was so bad. The whole place smells like sewage.”

While the flooding has damaged much of Ms Williams’ furniture and clothing, she is more concerned for her daughter’s welfare.

Micafia WIlliams-Johnson, who is only 11 years old, developed breathing problems after she moved into the property with her mother in April 2022.

Ms Williams said: “She never had any health issues. Then we move here and we have constant damp and mould from these leaks. Now she has been diagnosed with asthma. 

“This place is making her sick.”

The family sleeps with a vent open, which was installed when their ceiling fell in from a leak last year.

Ms Williams said: “They never covered the pipes properly after they fixed the leak.

“I don’t feel like a human being. What parent would put up with this, knowing their child is in danger?”

Monica Peters, 47, another mother living in temporary accommodation in Hamilton Lodge, voiced similar concerns for her children.

The family-of-four, including three children aged eight, 16 and 20, have shared one room in the hostel since 2020.

Ms Peters said: “My children can’t focus, there is nowhere to do school work. Their grades are going down.

“I have explained this to the council but they don’t listen.”

Zaira Williams films a video in another leaking flat in her hostel after tenants moved out (Picture: Zaria Williams)

While dealing with overcrowding, the family’s unit is riddled with damp and mould and a broken window which lets a cold draught into the property.

Ms Peters, who works in a hospital, said: “My daughter has to sleep in layers because of the cold.

“When I moved in, the window was broken and they put plastic over it. 

“But last year the plastic ripped off. People from the council come and take pictures but nothing happens, no work is done.

“I feel like they are running an experiment on us – how do you have all these people living in one room and doing nothing? 

“When I go to work I don’t want to come home, but I have to for my children.”

A spokeswoman for Lewisham council apologised for the “recurring leaks” and the affects on residents. 

She said: “In response to the latest report of a leak, we attended the impacted property and repaired a burst hot water pipe on the day.

“We are now coordinating with a specialist team to ensure our residents’ health and safety is protected, and are launching an internal investigation to understand how this issue developed, working with our contractors to find a permanent solution.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep residents updated.”

Pictured top: Fooding in Zaria Williams’ flat (Picture: Zaria Williams)