Wait for new home for dying man goes on

Work on the Clehonger estate stopped earlier this year

A woman from Hereford waiting more than two years for a new house to meet the needs of her dying partner has said she fears he will run out of time.

Juliet Francis lives in the Redhill area with partner Matthew Slack, and their current social housing lacks a downstairs toilet or suitable bath.

They were offered a home on a new-build development by Stonewater Housing Association, but the main developer got into difficulties and the scheme ground to a halt.

Stonewater said it sympathised and was negotiating with a contractor, although a completion date is not known.

Mr Slack's conditions include pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis, leaving him with worsening breathing difficulties and declining mobility.

Ms Francis also has two teenage daughters who are autistic.

A council occupational therapist set out his needs two years ago, she said, putting the family on track for a new home with funding to adapt it.

The property they were offered was an affordable housing development in Clehonger, due to be completed last summer.

Despite delays "we though it would be our home in time for Christmas", Ms Francis said.

'Just want to be settled'

Some of their possessions were put into commercial storage, others stored in a bedroom while the couple switched to mattresses in the front room.

They eventually signed for their new property in February, but the scheme was wound up in the same month.

"We just want to be settled before I lose him," Ms Francis said.

The delays have also taken their toll on the family.

Stonewater’s regional director of development Matthew Crucefix said: "We really sympathise with Mr Slack, his family, and the other customers that were excited to be moving into the new homes at Clehonger.

"We’re currently in negotiation with a main contractor and hope to restart work on site in August.

"We don’t yet have a final completion timeline, but we would hope to take handover of some of the homes by the end of the year."

The family is also working with current housing provider Connexus to find alternative accommodation.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.