Mum's despair after two years in temporary home

Katie Collins said she has to carry her youngest daughter up the stairs

A mother said she felt "let down" after having to spend nearly two years living in temporary housing.

Katie Collins and her three children moved into a three-bedroom house in Swinton, Salford, after a no-fault eviction in 2022.

The 36-year-old said the family are desperate to move into a bungalow due to her hip issues and her five-year-old daughter's complex medical needs.

Salford City Council said it was committed to doing "everything" in its power to support residents.

'So stressful'

Ms Collins' daughter Abi, aged five, has complex medical needs which mean she needs help moving around the property. She also gets council assistance to travel to school.

The mother told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she was exhausted having to carry her daughter up and down the stairs, having to "bum shuffle" with her on her laps.

She described the daily routine as "degrading" and difficult due to her own hip problems.

Ms Collins said she has put off an operation over fears she will be bedbound and unable to move at short notice if a suitable property became available.

“It’s affecting my life so much, it’s really difficult hearing the kids say they hate living here, it’s so stressful to me as a mum not being able to give them stability," she said.

The family have been assessed as needing a four-bedroom bungalow, but this type of property has been in short supply.

Ms Collins said the council would not allow them to bid for properties because of their medical needs.

The Salford City Council spokesman said the authority "understood the difficulties some families face seeking suitable housing, especially when faced with complex medical needs".

"Please be assured that we take all situations seriously and work diligently to address them appropriately," he added.