Mum of five has to split family to find home

A MUM has blamed a council’s lack of action for her being forced into sharing a cramped house with her pregnant sister and five children.

Mother-of-five Nia Evans claims she became homeless two months ago when she was advised by Anglesey council to leave her privately rented home in Holyhead due to concerns about its condition.

The 33-year-old says there were “mushrooms” growing on the walls due to the damp, and water was penetrating the electrics.

Miss Evans, who has already been on the council’s housing waiting list for more than 12 months, says she was told by the authority that alternative accommodation should be made available in around two weeks’ time.

But nine weeks later, she claims the best they have been able to offer her is bed and breakfast accommodation in Dinas Dinlle near Caernarfon.

That is 35 miles away from Holyhead and Ysgol Cybi superschool, which three of her children attend.

Desperate, Miss Evans and three of her five children, aged nine, 10 and 11, moved in with her 25-year-old sister, Jackie Evans, and her two children on the Treseifion Estate in Holyhead.

But Jackie, who is 19 weeks pregnant with her third child, says the situation, which was only offered on a short-term basis, is untenable.

“It’s far from ideal, there are beds everywhere and everyone’s living on top of one another”, said Jackie, whose children are aged four and five.

“It was only supposed to be for a few weeks, but the council don’t seem to be doing anything.

“There’ll be eight people living under this roof if things don’t change pretty soon.”

Nia, whose other children aged 14 and 15 are staying with grandparents, said it is a “nightmare situation”.

She added that the council’s response is “just not good enough”.

She said: “The only thing they’ve offered me is a B&B in Dinas Dinlle, but that’s not even an option as the children need to go to school in Holyhead every day.

“I’ve been on the list for over a year now, but officially homeless for over two months now.

“I had no choice but to leave my old flat as it was damp, but I can’t believe it’s taking this long to do anything about it, especially as I have three school age children to worry about.”

Nia, who was previously made homeless a year and a half ago, says she is only able to rent privately thanks to assistance from Shelter Cymru, and she cannot afford to rent privately again.

“We’re arguing every day and the kids are constantly crying as they need their own space”, she said.

“There are only two rooms and a boxroom here really – it’s beyond a joke to be honest.”

When asked, an Isle of Anglesey County Council spokesman said they cannot comment on individual cases.

A spokesman said: “However, our Housing Service makes every effort to find suitable, alternative accommodation for tenants or try to return them to their own homes as soon as possible after an incident or damage at the property.

“This may result in individuals or families residing at temporary emergency accommodation whilst the works are undertaken, or to reside with family members, if this is a suitable housing option.”