'There are no homes for me' - Disabled Shifnal woman faces homelessness after death of mother
A disabled Shropshire woman says she faces being homeless in just over a week, as there are no homes suitable for people with disabilities available.
Jane Nicholls from Shifnal lost her mother just over a year ago. Not only has the 53-year-old had to contend with the grief, but she found herself having to search for a new home after her mum's house in Park Street was put on the market.
Now Jane has been handed an eviction notice telling her she has to be out by April 8, but despite a year of searching for properties in the area, she has found none available.
“I am 54 next month and I have lived in Shifnal all my life, first with my parents then for the last 22 years it it was just me and my mum – we were each other's carer. But sadly she passed away in December leaving just myself in the house,” she said.
“It is now being sold and I have to be out on April 8. I have spent more than a year now since my mum passed away looking but there are simply no homes in Shifnal. I am disabled so need a bungalow but there is nothing. I have an eviction notice so I am going to be homeless unless I find something.”
She said she has been using the Shropshire Council's Homepoint portal, that provides details of affordable accommodation in the county, but there have been no homes available for her to view or bid on.
She has also tried estate agents in the area but has found no homes for disabled people available.
“There are simply no properties in Shifnal. I've been here all my life. My mum moved in in 1961. All my friends and support network are here so I need to be in Shifnal but am worried I could be sent miles away if I am made homeless,” said Jane. “I've been on the Homepoint list for two years, I'm listed with all the estate agents but they haven't got anything. Homepoint have nothing.”
Ms Nicholls said because she was down as a wheelchair user, it further hampered her attempts, so she requested that status be removed from her applications for properties, but she has still found no homes for people with conditions such as hers.
“I have MS, diabetes and get panic attacks so I need a level-access home. I have not been upstairs in four years and currently have to sleep on a settee. There are just no homes for me at all.”
Shropshire Council said they were unable to comment on specific cases, however a spokesperson added: "All applicants applying for housing are asked to provide medical evidence regarding their housing need. This evidence is then used to determine the type of property they need and whether they require a specific type ie, ground floor, level-access shower, wheelchair accessible etc.
"Applicants are then able to bid on properties that meet their needs on a weekly basis. The wider the area an individual will consider the more options will be available."
He added that if a person is made homeless "applicants in housing need will be supported by an officer in the Housing Options Team and if placed in temporary accommodation will also be allocated a support worker.
"Both these officers will assist the applicant to bid on the available suitable property."
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