A MUM who was once homeless with a three-year-old child has called on the government to tackle the ‘devastating’ housing crisis.
Rachel Redley, now 32, is in full-time work and lives with her 12-year-old son in Bournemouth However, nine years ago, they were homeless and Rachel was suffering with depression and anxiety.
She said: “My private landlord’s home was repossessed and because there was no housing available for us, my son and I were put into a hostel in Poole. At night when the staff went home the place was full of drug taking and the threat of violence. We were there for six months. I was petrified and sank into a deep depression.”
Rachel sought advice from Shelter and was referred to BCHA, which supports thousands of people a year to find housing, specialist accommodation and training programmes.
The organisation provided Rachel and her son with supported housing and a support worker. She said: “We were offered BCHA accommodation for three years, which is how long it can take to receive council housing. The weight off my shoulders was huge.
“BCHA also gave us a support worker, Carmela, who literally guided me back to a life of hope. She helped me get counselling after a diagnosis of PTSD and depression and showed me I wasn’t failing my son as I feared. I was also able to get practical help to apply for council housing.
“After three years my BCHA lease ran out, but the council told me the property I was due to move into still wasn’t ready – thankfully BCHA gave me another six months until it was, or I could have been right back at square one.”
Rachel now works full-time as a painter and decorator for the organisation’s social enterprise arm, New Leaf Repairs.
“My son and I are now in a council property. We are safe and happy and looking forward to Christmas,” Rachel said. “But there are thousands of people out there who are stuck, facing this Christmas, unable to thrive and contribute because they cannot access affordable housing. The government needs to act fast.”
Martin Hancock, chief executive of BCHA, is lobbying the new government to make the housing crisis a priority and put more revenue money into supporting people.
“Building new social homes will not only fix the housing crisis we are in but it will also support the economy and lower the benefit bill,” he said.
“I would also call on the next government to change the law surrounding Section 106 to make it compulsory for developers to build a percentage of affordable housing
“Providing affordable homes helps people into work and saves the country money in the long run.
"Rachel is a human example of the return on investment the country will receive if the government acts now.”
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