City woman seeks homelessness duty from Norwich City Council

The woman has been placed in a motel by Norwich City Council while she waits to hear if City Hall will accept her homelessness application.

If they do, they will draw up a housing plan and she will have access to further support.

If they don't, she will have 28 days' notice before being evicted, which could see her on the streets with her baby at Christmas.

The 22-year-old, who does not want to be named, said: "I know it's silly but it will be my baby's first Christmas and I don't know if we will have anywhere to live by then."

The mum has tried to kill the silverfish - but they keep coming back (Image: Contributed)

The mum is currently stuck in a flat riddled with mould and silverfish and has been waiting there for the verdict for nearly three months.

She said: "I can't put my baby on the floor. She can't have a normal life.

"I've found them in her toys and crawling up the wall next to my bed.

"I've been spraying to kill them but they just keep coming back."

This is the second council-run property that she has lived in since August, with the first flat so damp and mouldy that she was moved after two weeks.

According to homelessness charity Shelter, the council has to decide that a person is eligible for assistance, and homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days.

However, the mum has been living in a motel for more than 80 days and feels "no closer to finding out what will happen" to her and her baby girl.

The woman is also trying to treat damp and mould in the property (Image: Contributed) Alex Catt, Green Party city councillor and part of the shadow cabinet for housing, said: "Being stuck in temporary accommodation for more than 80 days, breaching the legal six-week limit, while waiting to hear whether or not your local council will accept a duty to house you must take a serious toll on your mental health. 

"I am grateful to senior officers at the council who are looking into this and working towards an urgent solution, but I hope that this case can be used as a learning experience for the council."

Cllr Alex Catt (Image: Denise Bradley) A spokesman for Norwich City Council said that each application for homelessness is assessed in line with legislation that guides whether the council has a statutory duty to re-house a homeless person or household.

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He added: "To ensure fairness and accuracy, we must carry out all enquiries carefully and professionally, as these decisions have significant impacts on people’s lives.

"We understand that waiting for updates can be frustrating, and we truly appreciate applicants’ patience as we navigate what can often be a complex legal process.

"Additionally, we are committed to ensuring the quality of the temporary accommodation we provide. If there are any concerns or issues with the accommodation, we encourage individuals to report them to us so we can address them promptly."