“My children have to grow up in temporary accommodation”

A mother of six who fled an abusive relationship is heartbroken that her children are being forced to grow up in moldy temporary housing.

Sylvi Vaisanen, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, said she was told she could be stuck in the house for 10 years.

She added it was a “heartbreaking” prospect, not least because she said her housing provider had originally told her it would only last for a maximum of six months.

The latest government figures show the number of children living in temporary accommodation across the North West has risen by 22% in a year.

Across the region, 9,170 children are currently living in temporary accommodation, compared to 7,490 last year.

More than 70% are in Greater Manchester.

When she was fleeing domestic violence, Ms. Vaisanen said she “went out with only the clothes that I had on my body and that of my children.”

Despite the poor condition of her temporary home, she said she was told she couldn't make any improvements, such as adding anything to the walls, repairing doors or replacing carpets.

“It’s not our home, so we can’t do anything to the house,” Ms. Vaisanen said.

The house has mold, wallpaper is peeling off the walls and damage to the ceiling.

She said the prospect of her children growing up there “breaks my heart.”

“This is not what I wanted for my children,” she said. “Many years ago we even owned our own house… so coming here now is frustrating. It’s just sad.”

Ms Vaisanen said: “My five-year-old keeps putting toys in her bags and saying she doesn't want to touch them; She wants them for the new house.”

“She talks about it every day. I always try to be positive to her and say, 'Hopefully we'll get something soon.'”

While Ms. Vaisanen said she was “grateful that we have a roof over our heads,” they “just wanted a home of their own; a forever home.”

Laura Neilson, executive director of the Shared Health Foundation, said she has never seen such high demand for temporary housing.

The charity, based in Oldham, helps families living in temporary accommodation with basic supplies such as cots, beds and nappies, as well as providing advice and advocacy.

She said her organization deals with families who never expected to be in this situation.

“It can happen to anyone,” she said. “If you lose your job, a relationship breaks down, or your landlord gives you a notice to vacate or raises your rent.”

She said the trust was seeing “real issues with damp, mould, rat and cockroach infestation and safety” in many of the properties used as temporary accommodation.

Dr. Neilson said homelessness has a huge impact on children's lives – it has disrupted their schooling and relationships and can even lead to bedwetting, speech problems and delayed walking.

She said some children had dropped out of school because it was too far to travel or because there were no school places available.

Dr. Neilson said tackling the crisis required “more social housing” and decent landlords.

Oldham Borough Council, which contracted Ms Vaisanen's housing provider, said it understood the “urgency and sensitivity of the housing crisis, particularly for families in temporary accommodation” and “recognized the distress faced by families due to the limited availability of large, affordable accommodation.” Apartments are standing”.

It said Ms Vaisanen's case was “concerning and we are committed to addressing such situations with the utmost care and compassion”.

The council encouraged tenants with specific issues to report them directly to the authority so it could respond “quickly and effectively”.

It added: “We are committed to minimizing the time families spend in temporary accommodation and are actively working to find solutions to this urgent issue.”

“We are committed to improving housing in Oldham by increasing our housing stock, improving the quality of temporary accommodation and supporting families to transition to permanent accommodation.”

“Our communities are doing what they can to reduce reliance on temporary housing and move families into permanent housing,” he said.

“But it’s something of a perfect storm that hits areas like ours.

“It's not right in any way, and I would just say: either this government faces up to these things, or it gives way to a government that will.”

The Ministry of Leveling, Housing and Communities said: “We want everyone to have a safe place to call home.”

“That’s why we’re giving councils £1.2 billion so they can provide financial support to those who need it, helping them find new homes and move out of temporary accommodation.”

“Our long-term housing plan will support the creation of more homes, including additional social housing.

“Since 2010 we have delivered over 696,100 new affordable homes, including over 172,600 for social rent, and we are well on the way to achieving our new social housing target.”