A woman, recently displaced from her residence in Ealing where she lived with her disabled daughter and son, reports significant difficulties in her current temporary housing, which she describes as “inaccessible.”
Kinga shares that their one-bedroom flat, situated on the first floor of a house in Southall, does not accommodate her six-year-old daughter, Victoria, who has Phelan McDermid Syndrome, resulting in mobility challenges and developmental delays. Consequently, their commute to Victoria’s school now extends to an arduous 90 minutes involving two buses.
Ealing Council acknowledged the situation and stated that they are actively seeking more suitable housing, but they also noted the severity of the national housing crisis.
Kinga expressed concern regarding the bathroom accessibility issues her daughter faces, as it is not designed for wheelchair use. Following their eviction from their Ealing home, she recounted that they initially spent two nights on a friend’s floor before being moved to the Southall flat.
Despite the hardships, Kinga explained that Ealing Council informed her that the family must first become homeless to qualify for rehousing assistance. She remarked to BBC London, “I believe that as soon as an eviction notice is issued, the council should proactively begin addressing the situation rather than requiring families to be homeless before they can start the search for new accommodations.”
Upon arriving at their new location, she raised concerns about its unsuitability for wheelchair access, pointing out the numerous stairs. “The first night, my daughter ended up waking up and hitting her head against the walls,” she recalled, adding that she shares a room with her 19-year-old son, leaving them without any private space.
Ealing Council expressed regret over the obstacles faced by the family and emphasized its commitment to finding an accessible housing solution for them. A spokesperson noted, “We are experiencing the most critical phase of the national housing crisis, with nearly 7,000 local families on the waiting list for social housing. Unfortunately, there are not enough affordable homes available in the borough to meet the demand.”
They further stated their ongoing efforts to reduce the number of individuals in temporary accommodation and to secure more suitable housing for families.
