FAMILY WANT OUT OF 'CRUMBLING' HOME
A FORFAR woman has hit out at the council for not doing all it can to re-home her young family from what she says is crumbling, inadequate accommodation.
Donna Wilson currently lives in a two-bedroom flat at Restenneth Drive with her four young children and partner Alex Houston, but says it is not big enough to cope with her family's needs.
With the boys and girls sleeping in separate bedrooms, Donna says she's forced to sleep on the couch in the living room.
She said: "I've been on the housing list for the last three years, but the council keep saying they can't give us something they don't have.
"There's six people in the house. My partner, Alex, and my children, Amy (5), David (3), Connor (2) and Emily (1).
"The girls have a room and the boys have a room. Me and Alex are on the couch in the living room.
"I've opened up my borders, I don't mind if it's Forfar, Arbroath, Montrose, wherever. I go in to see the council once a week to see where I am on the housing list, I'm between 200 to 155 names from getting a house, depending on the town."
Matters aren't helped by the condition of her current accommodation, something Donna says makes living there unhygienic.
She claims the council have done nothing to repair the damage, despite it being reported.
"The kitchen roof is falling apart and there's a big crack in the living room roof that gets bigger every month. One window panel in the living room is even hanging off its hinge.
"I've asked the council to come out and repair it but nobody has come. All I get is a letter from them asking me to rate their service.
"It's not hygienic. If someone stands in the bathroom upstairs, dust comes down from the kitchen ceiling. It's crumbling down."
A spokesperson for Angus Council said: "We do not discuss individual tenants or their situations, but we allocate houses based on a points system which takes into account housing need. This system is based on current legislation and guidance.
" Given the current levels of available affordable housing for rent in Angus, it is a regrettable fact that some people do have to wait a considerable time for rehousing.
"Any tenant with issues about the condition of their home should contact the council's ACCESSLine 08452 777 778 for assistance. Repairs are dealt with as swiftly as possible but we do require the tenant to co-operate in allowing access for tradesmen to enable completion of the repairs within our target times."
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Weather for Forfar
Sunday 05 February 2012
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Temperature: -0 C to 6 C
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