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Hampshire family in urgent need of larger council house amid severe shortage
Overview
A Hampshire mother living in a three-bedroom council house with her three sons, two of whom have disabilities, has described the wait for a larger home as a daily frustration. Despite being placed on the highest priority band for council housing by New Forest District Council, the family struggles to find a suitable property because demand for larger family homes significantly outweighs supply.
Key points
- Dawn and her three sons live in a three-bedroom council house in Fawley, Hampshire, but have been assessed as needing a larger home due to her sons' disabilities.
- Her eldest son, who has low muscle tone and uses a wheelchair, sleeps on a mattress on Ikea units because there is no room for a proper bed or special posture chairs.
- Her middle son has complex additional needs and disrupted sleep, and currently shares a bedroom with his younger brother.
- The family has been on band one—the highest priority 'emergency need' list—with New Forest District Council since April.
- New Forest District Council stated that demand for larger family homes significantly outweighs supply, with hundreds of applicants currently waiting for three- and four-bedroom properties.
- While Dawn believes the council should force under-occupying tenants to downsize, New Forest District Council stated it cannot require people to leave their homes, offering incentive payments instead.