A MUM has been left fuming over the council’s offer to replace her family-of-four’s flat.
Armida Camilleri is desperate to move out of the cramped social housing home in Fairwater, Cardiff, she’s currently sharing with her partner Michael, daughter, aged 11, and six-month-old son.
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When Armida moved into the Cardiff Council property in December 2020, she was the sole tenant.
But in October last year, her daughter came to live with her, and she had nowhere to put her but on a sofa in the lounge.
As her family has expanded, she says she now needs two extra bedrooms but was only offered one more.
The mum-of-two says outside the issue of inadequate size, the home is infested with mould and the shower is constantly blocked.
As hard as she tries to keep the mould away, she says the home is so damp it keeps coming back.
Armida told Wales Online: “[The council] keep on coming out and they are saying ‘yeah, but it is sorted’.
“It might be sorted, but it is only temporary. Give it two or three weeks and it is back again.”
She said: “There are couples and they are living in 3 – 4 bedroom houses and then there are four of us stuck in a one bedroom flat.
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“My daughter is at that age now where she is getting a bit cheeky.
“At times like this, if she is moody, she needs to have her own bedroom to go in and have a little tantrum in there, out of the way.”
Cardiff Council say Armida’s assessment now reflects her need for three bedrooms.
How to complain about your council home
According to the government’s website, there are three steps you can take to complain about your council property.
At first contact your local council, they should have a complaints procedure that you can follow.
If the issue isn’t resolved by the council, you can contact your MP or a local councillor to ask for their support.
If the problem is still not resolved you can contact the Housing Ombudsman. You can email them at [email protected] or telephone 0300 111 3000.
A spokesperson said: “Cardiff, like many other cities in the UK, is facing unprecedented levels of demand for housing.
“There are currently severe pressures on social housing, combined with additional pressures on supply within the private rented market.
“Unfortunately, while we are doing everything we can to help alleviate these pressures, there are currently more than 8,200 households on the housing waiting list and 516 families in temporary accommodation.
“Following a change in her circumstances, Ms Camilleri has been assessed as requiring a three-bedroom property.
“Unfortunately, even when a family’s needs change and they require a bigger home, any move will depend on a suitable property becoming available, which can take some time.
“In the meantime, we understand the difficulties this can cause families and are working hard to increase availability of more affordable homes, including larger family homes.”
