‘My Nan will be homeless in a hospital bed if the council don’t give us a home’
Campaigners have said the case shows that there is “absolutely no compassion” in the social housing system
A mum-of-four has warned that her elderly, unwell nan could be “living in a hospital bed on the streets” if the local council cannot find her a home soon.
Campaigners have said the case shows that there is “absolutely no compassion” in the social housing system, but the local authority says they are working with the family to prevent them from becoming homeless.
Nina Darbey of Boughton Monchelsea has privately rented her home for six years and lives with her 18-year-old son and two daughters aged 12 and 16.
Nina’s nan, Mary, moved in in 2023 and suffers from schizophrenia, vascular dementia and heart failure.
The landlord of the three-bedroom property is now selling up and had given them until Monday (May 5) to leave.
The family turned to the council for help, as they were unable to find anywhere affordable to live.
Ms Darbey said: “I can’t afford to rent a bigger place, and I can’t afford to match the rent I’m paying now even with an equivalent three-bed in Maidstone.
“I pay £1200 here for a three-bed. I’ve seen them for about £1500-£1600 a month.”
The 46-year-old works as an independent travel agent, and also runs a small cleaning company, doing about 15 hours a week of work and receiving carers’ allowance to help look after her nan. Working more hours could make her ineligible for the benefits.
Mary also receives a pension which helps support them. Her hospital bed is set up in the living room which is where she spends most of her time.
Ms Darbey said: “My nan was given a couple of weeks to live in September 2023 so I wanted her to come live with me. I didn’t want her to die in a care home.
“I have two carers four times a day, social workers coming in and out to check on her, occupational health and doctors.
“Two years ago, she wasn’t eating, she wasn’t drinking or doing anything but now she’s doing really well.”
Nina has now been desperately looking for somewhere to move her family to.
She said: “I’ve been to estate agents and spoken to them, and with the money I earn I’d need a guarantor, but I haven’t got one.
“I would need a large deposit, which I also haven’t got.
“The majority of places won’t accept dogs – I’ve got two dogs. I can’t find a place, I’ve looked online on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Rightmove, Zoopla, I’ve looked everywhere and I just can’t afford it. I’ve tried everything.”
When seeking council housing, the local authority dictates what sort of home is suitable for the family – in this case Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has said the family need a five-bedroom home.
At the moment, bedbound nan lives in the sitting room, and the two daughters share a room – but the council says this can’t be done if they’re to help the family find a place.
Ms Darbey said: “I can’t find any five bed houses that have come up to bid on on the council housing portal.
“I asked if we can go down to a four bed but the council will not allow this.
“They’ve now told me they’re looking outside the borough but this would destroy the children who ae doing their exams and I’d need to change carers. I’d have to refuse if it was too far away.
“This could end with my nan living in a hospital bed on the streets with me and the kids – we’re really desperate. Ridiculously desperate.
“I hate relying on people. I’ve always gone and worked and done what I need to do to survive in life. and now I’m relying on the council because I literally can’t afford to move.”
The family have not left their home on the advice of the council, and are awaiting further help from them.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We are aware of this case and will continue to work with the household to try and prevent homelessness.
“The council will seek to support with Temporary Accommodation advice and navigating private rent, and encourages the family to get in touch.”
Suzanne Muna, of the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC) says the social housing system “causes awful misery for people who are in this position.
“There is absolutely no compassion within the system at all and there’s very little room for manoeuvre in these situations.”
“They have to wait until they receive an eviction letter before the council can even start to step in and that’s far too late down the line – and it’s an expensive way of doing it.”
She says the system is too “market driven” as councils have to depend on private developers contributing homes to council housing stock, or renting homes from private landlords as emergency housing.