Long-suffering Brooke House residents have complained of “awful” conditions in the tower block after they were told they may have to temporarily move out while repairs are carried out.
Residents living in the block in the town centre have long complained of poor conditions, broken lifts and a catalogue of issues with homes.
Michaela Martin, 48, was made homeless nine years ago, so moved to the block as “temporary” accommodation.
She told the Echo: “I had no choice, I had nowhere else to go. It’s awful, it doesn’t feel like home.
“I’d love to get out of here but there’s no hope for us, unless they move us out permanently and knock the damn place down.”
Michaela, who works full-time, fears the impact moving could have on her elderly dog, along with her own mental health.
“I do suffer with mental health issues, and I don’t deal with it very well when I’m stressed out. Now, my heart is beating at a hundred miles per hour because I’m thinking, ‘what’s going on’?”
Emma Spring, 48, and her 17-year-old daughter live on the second floor but claim they have not had heating or hot running water since they moved in 18 months ago.
She said: “I’ve been given fan heaters, but my daughter and I are both asthmatic. I’ve got Crohn’s disease, depression, and anxiety. Despite my health problems, I’ve been told this place fits my criteria.
“When I moved in, I cried. It’s terrible.
“The council have been helping, but we just don’t feel safe. If we do have to be rehoused, I’d be the first to go.”
Council tenants Gemma Enderson, 28, and her partner Thomas Flynn, 31, live on the tenth floor. They claim they have faced constant water leaks and mould in their flat.
Gemma said: “Every time it rains, our kitchen gets flooded. I’ve reported the leak several times but been told to wait until December. It’s just getting worse.”
Despite its faults, Gemma says her flat is her “safe place”, as she suffers from mental health issues and struggles to adapt to new environments.
Independent councillor Kerry Smith criticised the council over a lack of work at the block and demanded serious questions are asked over those involved.
He says residents were planned to relocate to the nearby Acorn House while £10 million renovations were completed at Brooke House, while he was responsible for housing, however plans never went ahead.
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