A mum housed in a two-bed council home with six of her children says “pigs in a sty live more comfortably” than her family.
Rebecca Waller is desperate to be moved somewhere bigger than the “claustrophobic” semi-detached property in Whiting Crescent, Faversham.
But demand for social housing in the Swale borough far exceeds supply – with almost 1,900 live applications for council homes and just 300 becoming available each year.
Space is so scarce at Ms Waller’s house that three boys sleep in one bedroom, while she and three girls sleep in the other, which has been divided into smaller spaces using a temporary wall.
The 44-year-old even has to store food in her car and says the situation has led to her being diagnosed with chronic depression.
Ms Waller argues that she and the youngsters, who range in age from eight to 21, should be moved into the highest band for housing.
But Swale Borough Council says she is in the correct bracket – Band B – after it formally reviewed her situation.
I don’t want a great big house; I want something comfortable for my children and me to live in…
Ms Waller told KentOnline: “It is so overwhelming. I sometimes sit there and cry.
“I walk into the furniture and sometimes I’m full of bruises.
“It is cramped. I have a wardrobe downstairs.
“I took the Christmas tree down last year and the year before as there is no room.
“It is claustrophobic. Pigs in a sty live more comfortably than my children do.”
The mum-of-seven grew up in a traditional Roma gypsy community before moving into the house more than 20 years ago in an attempt to better her life and her children’s prospects.
Ms Waller first asked to upgrade her home to a larger property 15 years ago, and most recently requested a review of her banding in December, which was declined in February.
Stuck in the overcrowded property, some of the children sleep on the sofa out of desperation.
“I told the council one of my daughters is doing her GCSEs,” Ms Waller added.
“She’s 16 and she is getting no sleep. One of my neighbours has let her sleep in a bedroom before.”
We have been engaging with the government to develop long-term solutions to address the housing crisis…
Those placed in Band A on the housing register are of the highest priority and include those with urgent medical needs or disability where the current housing is having a “significant adverse effect”, according to the Swale Housing Allocations Policy 2020.
A host of criteria covers Band B – which Ms Waller falls in – including severe overcrowding.
“I don’t want a great big house; I want something comfortable for my children and me to live in and for me to be able to have company round,” Ms Waller said.
“There is no room for us to move. I have to store food in my car.”
An SBC spokesman says the authority is aware of Ms Waller’s situation and it is “doing everything” to help the family.
“We reviewed their banding and found that it is in line with our current housing allocations policy,” he said.
“We’ve encouraged the applicant to continue looking for a mutual exchange, as the quickest way to find alternative accommodation.”
In Swale, there are 1,892 live applications on the housing register – but an average of just 300 homes becoming available each year.
“This led to us announcing an affordable housing emergency last year, and we have been engaging with the government to develop long-term solutions to address the housing crisis,” the spokesman added.
“We will continue to monitor their case and offer the best options we have available.”
