Fundraising Goal: £3,238.87

We’re raising funds to support a devoted mother of four who has spent the past 16 years in temporary accommodation, tirelessly waiting and hoping for a secure place to call home.

Throughout those years, she has been forced to live in poor and unacceptable conditions. From mouldy walls to broken facilities, her living environment has often been unsafe and unfit for a growing family. The temporary housing she is in now is managed by an agency known for poor and rude communication. They rarely respond to her concerns and have shown little care when it comes to essential repairs. For example, the hot water tap on the toilet sink has not worked for a long time despite repeated requests for it to be fixed. These issues are just part of the difficult reality she has had to manage for years.

Despite all of this, our friend has remained strong. She is not only a committed mother but a cornerstone of her community. She is a founding member of a local food co-op, helping make healthy food affordable for low-income families, and she has played a key role in local housing advocacy, helping others understand and fight for their housing rights. She regularly supports members of the French-speaking community with GP registrations, school applications, and interpreting at appointments.

Now she needs some help.

She currently has rent arrears of £3,238.87. These debts came about through no fault of her own. During the pandemic, she had to top up rent not fully covered by housing benefit. She was also moved between two temporary homes at short notice, and because she still had the key to the old property for a brief time, the council has refused to waive the rent charged for those overlapping days.

Her housing officer recently told her that having rent arrears may be holding her back from being offered secure housing. They even suggested taking out a loan, but those close to her are worried that would only create more hardship when she deserves a stable fresh start.

On 7 July, she viewed a new-build council home in Haringey. Her support worker said there’s real hope that this could be the home where she and her children finally settle. But clearing these arrears is an essential step toward making that dream possible.

After 16 years in limbo, this fundraiser could help her move forward with dignity and security. It’s a chance to lift the weight of this debt so she can begin a new chapter in a safe and stable home.

She has always given so much to others without asking for anything in return. If you can give anything at all, no matter the amount, it would mean so much.

Please only share this with those who know her personally. Kindly avoid posting on social media, WhatsApp groups, or mailing lists.

Thank you for reading and for standing with our friend.