Dénia mum publicly asks council for affordable rent

Social services say they have no local authority housing and 'cannot help'

A MOTHER who stood up in an open council meeting and asked for an affordable home to rent was applauded this week in Dénia.

During the monthly session, which is open to the public, the woman asked councillors in front of a full room what they intended to do to help residents in her situation.

With holiday lets being big business in the Marina Alta district capital, rent prices per month during high and midseason can soar to over double the average wage, and many tenants are even ordered to move out for weeks or months at a time so landlords can charge tourist rates.

The woman who spoke out lives on a pension of just €640 a month, and also has to support her daughter.

Her rental contract was due to expire yesterday and prices in Dénia are higher than she even earns.

Social services have dismissed her, saying they have no council housing available.

She asked if she could move into an empty warden-assisted flat owned by the local authority temporarily.

The struggling mum says she is not looking to live anywhere for free, but wants to pay rent in proportion to her earnings.

If no solution could be found by yesterday, she and her daughter would be living on the streets.

Councillor Cristina Morera said she would ask social services if the pair could use the warden-assisted flat.

At the time of going to press, it has not been confirmed whether she found a solution to her predicament.