Disabled East London mum forced to climb 132 steps to reach top-floor flat

December 12, 2024
The block of flats Ms Dirir lives in have no lift

A disabled East London mother with limited mobility faces climbing 132 steps daily to reach her top-floor flat, leaving her feeling neglected by the council as she fights for a more suitable home. Ms. Dirir has accused Tower Hamlets Council of discrimination, claiming they offered alternative housing outside the borough, despite knowing she relies on her local support network due to her health.

Ms. Dirir, a mother of four, suffers from fibromyalgia, lymphedema, arthritis, chronic fatigue, and a fractured foot. She requires crutches and a special boot to move and struggles with walking long distances. A council spokesperson explained that Tower Hamlets faces a shortage of affordable, suitable homes for larger families, and the temporary accommodation offered in Essex was the closest available to meet her needs.

After six years in the flat, Ms. Dirir says her health has worsened, and her disabilities have deteriorated. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), she shared that climbing the stairs can take up to 40 minutes and that her housing situation has triggered PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

She said: "I've got health conditions, it's not suitable and they just keep giving me out of borough [housing], for what reason? I have no support network, who's going to help me with my shopping? Or on my worst days when I'm house bound, who's going to help me?"

In February of this year, Ms Dirir was sent a 'notice to quit' letter by the council, a type of eviction notice, followed by a letter in August which informed her about possession proceedings. Ms Dirir claims that, because she turned down the council's temporary accommodation offers in Loughton, Newham and Redbridge, she is being asked to leave her current property.

In addition to Ms Dirir's health problems, one of her children has learning disabilities, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and mild autism. She says her two daughters have chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and social anxiety and one of them also has abdominal pain syndrome, asthma and nausea.

Ms Dirir said: "It's just mentally and physically draining, my kids and me are drained. We've got PTSD because of the move, they're telling me to move from one place to another, we've all got PTSD. I’m homeless already, why are they trying to evict me? A vulnerable mother with vulnerable children, with disabilities, it’s going to look bad on them."

She added: "It’s pure discrimination, a lot of people are suffering, and Tower Hamlets don’t care. They’ve got all this information and they don’t give a damn." Abdirahim Hassan, founder of Coffee Afrik, a local organisation which advocates for marginalised communities, has been supporting Ms Dirir with her housing case.

Mr Hassan said: "It is crucial that the London Borough of Tower Hamlets actively ensures its housing policies do not discriminate and root their leadership in equity and compassion. Ms Dirir has endured so much, which this council is responsible for."

He added: "In our view due to his poor leadership, Councillor Kabir Ahmed, cabinet lead for regeneration, inclusive development and housebuilding, should resign."

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: "Tower Hamlets is at the sharp end of the national housing crisis as the most densely populated and fastest growing area in the country. Ms Dirir requested a suitability review of her accommodation, but before this concluded she fractured her leg. On that basis, we found and offered her alternative temporary accommodation, which was a furnished three-bedroom home in Loughton."

They added: "We understand this is out of borough, but there is a chronic shortage of suitable and affordable homes in Tower Hamlets for families requiring larger properties. This home was the closest available that met her housing needs. We encourage Ms Dirir to contact us so we can fully support her."- News Source My London