I’m forced to share a bed with my 2 kids – now the council’s mistake will leave us homeless

A MUM-OF-TWO has been forced to share a bed with her two kids due to a council error – and soon the mistake could make them homeless.

Ashleigh Rattray, from Essex, said the “cramped” and “overwhelming” living situation has reduced her to crying in bed all day at times.

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The 27-year-old was placed in the privately rented one-bedroom flat with her two daughters after Redbridge Council said she would be making herself intentionally homeless if they refused.

However, the tenancy contract was only due to last two years – yet five years later the mum-of-two is still there.

Now, they are forced to share the tiny property, made even smaller by the fold out bed in the living room Ashleigh has resorted to using.

Her daughters, aged nine and four, have been reduced to sleeping on a make-shift bunk bed inside a cupboard, according to the Essex mum.

These conditions have led to frequent “meltdowns” from one of her children, who has autism.

When the desperate mum-of-two asked the council about being allocated a property more suited to the size of her family, she was told she had been removed from the register.

Despite the fact her flat had been allocated by Redbridge Council, an error on their end deemed her illegible due to being in a privately rented property.

Instead of resolving the crisis, Ashleigh claimed officials have told her to either make herself homeless, or stay where she is – forking out a £5000 deposit and bills.

She told EssexLive: “It is overwhelming, it is disappointing because I do help people.

“Then when I realised I am not getting the same help, it makes me feel hopeless and weak.

“You have low self-esteem, you question your character and as a mother.”

The mum-of-two claimed the council’s actions felt like a “kick in the teeth”.

“There are times I cry in my bed all day,” she added.

Her constant lack of privacy has also left her feeling like a “failure” and she dreams of finding “security” in a stable, permanent home for her children.

Ashleigh is calling for Redbridge Council to “take accountability” for their alleged mistake and organise a solution.

“Something has to give. I have gone through enough. I’ve been patient enough,” she continued.

“I’ve done everything I could possibly do. I just hope that they can see that they’ve made an error somewhere.

“I’ve already had enough rubbish in my life. I’m not happy being at home.

“I feel like a home should be your peace and I hope they can see that.”

The mum-of-two has written to her MP about the issue but Redbridge Council claimed Ashleigh is still on the housing list.

A Redbridge Council spokesperson said: “We fully sympathise with Ms Rattray about her current living situation.

“This is the stark situation facing families across London, many of whom are waiting for suitable properties to become available.

“The reality is that demand far outweighs supply due to the government’s dismal record in building enough affordable homes.

“In Redbridge, this issue is all the more acute due to the small provision of social housing compared to other outer London boroughs.

“Our Housing Team has contacted Ms Rattray to discuss the technical issues she is experiencing with our lettings system.

“We’ve checked her application, and her account is still active, meaning she can still bid for properties.

“We understand that Ms Rattray is quite rightly concerned by the cost of moving within the private rented sector.

“Our Housing Team will also be happy to advise her on the financial support she may be eligible for, which will go some way in reducing those costs.”

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk