About to be made homeless, mum who fostered 60 kids
Housing crisis laid bare: Carer at end of queue of 16,000 people
A MOTHER who won an award for fostering 60 children has accused the SNP of failing to tackle the housing crisis as she faces being made homeless.
Jackie Meek and her two adopted children have been told to leave their privately-rented home in Kirkcaldy, Fife, by May 1 because the owner wants to sell the property.
But after asking her local council to help her be rehoused, she has discovered she is at the back of a queue of 16,000 people on the Fife Housing Register.
Last week, at the Scottish parliament, former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie challenged the SNP’s record on affordable housing.
Now an MSP for North East Fife, he said: ‘The Scottish Government is not doing enough. People deserve better than years of the SNP Government failing to address the scale of the housing crisis.’
Miss Meek, 52, said: ‘I was told by the council, “Well, you are just going to be homeless. That’s it”. I was shocked. They have offered nothing. What am I meant to do? I’m so upset. I have given so much – is this what my life has come to?’
Miss Meek was a social work assistant for Fife Council before becoming a family support worker in a school. In 2010, she was given an award by local radio station Kingdom FM for her outstanding service as a foster carer.
A single parent to Arran, 12, and Sapphire, 18, she has been paying £850 a month for a four-bedroom house. In September she quit her job at a school to care for her son, who has foetal alcohol syndrome.
A month later, her private landlord broke the news that he was selling her home and gave her six months’ notice to quit.
Miss Meek immediately informed the council and by January she was on a list to be rehoused. Since then, however, she says officials have failed to offer her a single alternative. She said: ‘I’ve never been able to apply for a council house because I’ve always worked and paid my own bills. I started fostering when I was 32 and over the years I have fostered 60 children all by myself.
‘I lead a lonely life but I love my two and will sacrifice my own needs to ensure they have the best life. That’s why this is so souldestroying. It’s shocking there are so many on the housing register.’
According to Scottish Government figures released in February, there are 7,510 children living in temporary accommodation across the country.
Last month, industry body Homes For Scotland warned of a chronic housing shortfall of almost 100,000 new homes.
Scottish Tory social justice, housing and local government spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘This appalling story highlights the scale of the social housing crisis.
‘Tens of thousands of people like Jackie Meek are being left in temporary or insecure housing, as the SNP has allowed housing waiting lists to spiral out of control.’
Fife Council housing manager Joan Lamie said ‘Unfortunately we can’t provide everyone with their ideal accommodation. There is high demand for the type of property Ms Meek has requested.
‘We will offer Ms Meek temporary accommodation if she can no longer stay in her current home.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are sorry to hear about Miss Meek’s difficulties and hope a solution can be found.
‘Scotland has led the way in the delivery of affordable housing across the UK.’
‘SNP has let waiting lists spiral out of control’