Nicholas
19-08-2006, 08:38 PM
TWO mums in Weston have been waiting for a council home for a combined total of 29 years.
Sarah Hembery was left homeless with her two small children when her house was repossessed in 1995 after her husband left.
She has been on North Somerset Council's housing waiting list ever since and been moved between about 20 different addresses.
Another mum, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted Councillor Peter Bryant about her 18-year wait for a home.
The mum-of-two said: "I'd be surprised if anyone has been on the list longer than me. I won't make myself homeless and try to do the right thing, but I'm not getting a home.
"I have a long family history in Weston, have never claimed benefits and am fed-up with people from outside getting help before me.
"By the time I end up with council accommodation it will be sheltered housing."
Cllr Bryant said: "People arrive here from elsewhere, get put up for six months in a B&B and then suddenly are regarded as having a local link.
"We are stuffing in all these dreadful characters and lowering the standard of communities.
"If people from outside turn up at the Town Hall homeless we should be far stronger and say no, go back to where you came."...
Sarah Hembery was left homeless with her two small children when her house was repossessed in 1995 after her husband left.
She has been on North Somerset Council's housing waiting list ever since and been moved between about 20 different addresses.
Another mum, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted Councillor Peter Bryant about her 18-year wait for a home.
The mum-of-two said: "I'd be surprised if anyone has been on the list longer than me. I won't make myself homeless and try to do the right thing, but I'm not getting a home.
"I have a long family history in Weston, have never claimed benefits and am fed-up with people from outside getting help before me.
"By the time I end up with council accommodation it will be sheltered housing."
Cllr Bryant said: "People arrive here from elsewhere, get put up for six months in a B&B and then suddenly are regarded as having a local link.
"We are stuffing in all these dreadful characters and lowering the standard of communities.
"If people from outside turn up at the Town Hall homeless we should be far stronger and say no, go back to where you came."...