My daughter and I are living in our car because the council kicked us out when we turned down a new house 13 miles away | The Sun
A MUM and her daughter are living out of their car after the council kicked them out of their home when they turned down a new house 13 miles away.
Pauline Roye, 62, and her daughter Nashstacia Gayle, 28, have been couch-surfing at friends' houses since September 23 when their temporary accommodation in London was cancelled.
Ms Roye, who has lived in Lewisham for over 20 years, requested a new place to live after the conditions in their previous home became unbearable.
She said: “There was mould everywhere. They had painted over it but we couldn’t breathe in the bedrooms. It was like being in a drain. I caught a cough."
Lewisham Council offered them a new home an hour away in Ilford, East London, but as Ms Roye needs to stay local for her hospital appointments, she had no choice but to turn down the property.
As she awaits a knee replacement, Ms Roye needs assistance to walk and cannot make the journey on her own.
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Now, she and her daughter don't have anywhere to stay after the council argued Ms Roye had rejected "a reasonable offer".
Ms Roye told MyLondon: "I don’t know where I am from one day to the next. It’s not a way to live.
"If we don’t find a place tonight then we’re going to have to sleep in the car in Lewisham Shopping Centre car park.
"They [Lewisham] say I can travel 90 minutes for an appointment at the hospital, but I can’t take a bus or train.
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"I have to take patient transport. I can’t walk without assistance. I’m just asking for them to look at my health.”
As well as feeling left in the lurch, Ms Roye says the council haven't been understanding of she and her daughter's situation.
Ms Roye claims a staff member accused her of "bombarding" the council with emails after lodging a complaint.
A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: “We have been reviewing Ms Roye’s case and will be looking to make her a new offer of temporary accommodation, in line with our Location Priority Policy.
"We expect all members of staff to be polite and professional when supporting residents with their housing needs and are investigating the comments made towards Ms Roye.”
How to apply for a council house
You are eligible to apply for council housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK and you have not lived abroad recently.
To apply for a council house, you need to hand in an application with the local council.
Simply access the gov.uk website and enter the postcode in which you want to apply for a council house in.
It will guide you to which council you need to contact.
Be aware that you'll probably have to join a waiting list and this still does not guarantee you a council house.
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Once you are relocated to the council's website, it will show you guidelines on how to complete your application.
A council house is reached through a points system, so depending on your housing needs, you may be a low priority.
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