Nazia is a single mother and was placed in temporary accommodation with her three children.
Nazia’s placement was unsuitable for her young son and how she worried his hyperactivity was upsetting the neighbours.
“I am a single mum with three children. I stayed five or six weeks. I didn’t have tv or cartoons for children to make my son quiet, I don’t have any toys. He became hyperactive and just wanted to go outside”
Nazia also had daughters who struggled with living in the temporary accommodation placement. One daughter hated the area, resulting in her blaming and punishing Nazia for not being able to leave. The placement had a big impact on Nazia’s eldest daughter, resulting in a deterioration in her mental health, self-harm, and intervention from the school and G.P.,
“[My daughter] remembers exactly when we lived all together in one room, I don’t know why it’s not gone from her mind. I don’t know why these memories are still there and how to delete them from her mind”.
Nazia and her children felt unsafe in the area they were placed in. They were unfamiliar with the area and found it very noisy. The children would often want to watch the car accidents and police chases that happened outside and there was lots of shouting and people vomiting on the street.
“Every day there was drama, police, it was crazy. It was hot weather and when I opened the window, I can’t sleep because of the drugs and noise of men with motorbikes. It was not safe. There was lots of drugs”.
Nazia felt that she was placed in temporary accommodation for too long and that families should not have to stay there for weeks. She was told that because she had previously left the area, she was far down the housing list and had a low chance of getting a council house. The local authority recommended that she find a private rental. Nazia did this and said that she now has a lovely private landlord. He is very supportive and has promised her and her children that they can live in the house for as long as they want and will not have to live in temporary accommodation again. Nazia said they are happy there.
Whilst Nazia and her family are now happy and settled, she feels there are not enough houses and she hopes more will be built for the families that need them.
Nazia’s story shows us the difference that a permanent home can make. A place to put down roots, to be together as a family and ultimately a place we would all recognise as truly a home rather than a shelter.
