A mother-of-one is worried about her young daughters health after moving into a flat riddled with damp.
Alivia Keighery, 19, from Tameside in Manchester, originally lived with her mum in Hyde but had to move out in May with her 15-month-old daughter Ariellà-Rae.
Alivia was relocated to Mount Guest House in Audenshaw through Tameside Housing Advice where she says she felt “happy” and had made it her home.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the single mum said: “That was dead nice, everyone was lovely and supportive.
“It was a brilliant service, it was B&B-type housing and within it, there were other families going through a similar situation, which made me feel less lonely, and I made new friends.
“I felt comfortable there.”
The walls of Alivia’s flat are covered in damp
(Image: Alivia Keighery)
Just over a month later, Alivia was told that she had to move into Gibson Terrace – a homeless support service provided by Jigsaw Homes, in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Upon arriving at the flat she had been allocated, Alivia was horrified at the state it was in.
“I didn’t even have 24 hours to pack my things or to process the information I’m having to move again with a 15-month-old pandemic baby,” she said.
“I went to view Gibson Terrace and expressed that it wasn’t safe nor suitable for me and my child.
“I walked in and there was a smell of urine on the floor straight away. I’ve mopped the walls with bleach and I’ve scrubbed everywhere.
“There’s damp in the room where my daughter sleeps, there’s damp in the bathroom, there’s a hole in the door.”
Alivia claimed that Jigsaw Homes have been unsupportive and have ‘shut her down’ whenever concerns have been raised.
“It’s just not a nice situation to be in,” she added.
“I would never want another mum or baby to be in this situation. I’m fearing for her health and worried she just won’t wake up one morning.
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“Whenever I raise my concerns they just shut me down. I’ve really had enough of it.
“It’s taken a massive toll on me as a person and my mental health.”
People living in Gibson Terrace are not allowed visitors.
She said: “I’ve been isolated. They don’t let anyone visit us.
“I pay all my bills, I pay everything and they still say I’m not allowed people in the building.
“Even with Covid, you’re allowed six people in a household and this is my household. It doesn’t make sense.
“I feel like I don’t have a life.”
There is a hole in the door of Alivia’s flat
(Image: Alivia Keighery)
What the housing association has to say
Jigsaw Homes have since inspected Alivia’s flat and said that the damp issues and damage to the living room door will be fixed ‘promptly’.
Donna Kelly, group director of support and neighbourhoods, said: “We are working with our tenant to resolve the issues which we were made aware of on 10 August 2021.
“Our surveyor has attended the property and confirmed that there is evidence of damp, which we are looking to address promptly.
“As in this case, we investigate any reports of possible damp in our properties as soon as we are made aware of them. We are also scheduled to carry out a repair to the living room door. “
Ms Kelly also explained Jigsaw’s decision to not allow visitors into the building.
She added: “We have not opened Gibson Terrace to visitors at this point as it is a service for very vulnerable families, whom we need to protect as much as possible whilst Covid-19 cases are still so high.
“Residents are free to leave the scheme and visit friends and family as they wish. “
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