Family facing bleak Christmas in flood-damaged flat

Rose Poolton feels 'suicidal' because repairs to flood damage from the flat above could take months and the only alternative she has been offered is bed and breakfast in Eastbourne.

"I am a mother living in a two-bedroom flat with four children sharing a bedroom.

"On Sunday, December 2, at 2am in the morning the flat above had a flood which damaged all my electrics.

"I have had no heating and the children have to eat meals and have baths at their nan's - and she has only a one-bedroomed flat. Then we have to go back to our flat.

"Housing offered us bed and breakfast till the work has been done, which can take up to three months.

"Eastbourne was the only option. But I can't get my children to and from school at Sidley.

"My 17-year-old goes to college and has learning difficulties. She doesn't travel too well on her own.

"I cannot get help from anywhere. I need help because I am on my own with twins of five, a daughter of nearly seven and my 17-year-old daughter.

"It was not my fault it happened that day. I suffer from severe depression and feeling suicidal because no-one will listen or help me and Christmas will soon be upon us.

"I really don't know which way to turn. I just want the best for my children.

"We have been in the flat for five months. I had been on the housing list when I was with my partner for over five years."

Rother said it could not comment on individual cases, but speaking in policy terms the head of housing, Anne Fennessy, said: "Rother Council will in all circumstances, where it considers that a person/family is homeless, in priority need and eligible for assistance, offer temporary accommodation.

"The council has to believe all the tests of homelessness are passed before offering temporary accommodation.

"If the case involves disrepair issues it will be formally referred to an Environment Housing Officer (EHO) to look into the complaint and assess the property.

"If a household can no longer remain in that property the EHO will inform the Housing Needs Officer.The council can offer temporary accommodation whilet repairs are being undertaken in some cases.

"The council, when placing a person/family in temporary accommodation, has to ensure it is suitable - for example a person/family with children are not usually placed in some types of temporary accommodation because they must have separate individual washing and cooking facilities.

"In some cases that means families have to be placed in a neighbouring area because we do not have access to suitable accommodation in our area for them.

"In cases of disrepair EHOs will make the landlord take action to make the property habitable for the tenant therefore minimizing the disruption for the client."