FOCUS ON HOUSING: Nancy needs a safe haven

10:03am Wednesday 23rd May 2001

Nancy Moore, 28, wanted to escape her rat-infested council flat in Purley, six weeks before she gave birth to her first child.

But the only accommodation the council could find her was bed and breakfasts in Southend or Peterborough.

The rats are infested in the garden but have been spotted inside the flat.

She said: “I don't want to bring a newborn baby somewhere where there are rats.

“My GP said I need to be extremely careful and bleach everywhere before I eat because they carry disease in their urine.

“I just want somewhere that's a clean and safe environment for my child.”

The rat infestation affects two properties and the council were due to demolish rubbish sheds last week.

A council spokesman said: “There has been a problem with rats in the immediate area for about four weeks.

“She asked if she could be accommodated elsewhere for a night or two but there is an acute shortage in Croydon of temporary accommodation and Southend and Peterborough were mentioned.”

Conservative councillor Andrew Pelling said: “It was just a threat to make her shut up. Despite reassurances from the Labour council, people are still being sent to Southend and problems are persisting.”

Assistant director of housing Alan Matthews said: “A rat infestation is a serious problem that needs to be addressed and we have to deal with the root problem.

“Many people in genuine need cannot see any movement on the housing register, but we want to reduce the number of people coming through the homeless route.

“If we can achieve a credibility on the register then people could see the benefits of waiting and see they are rewarded.

“Once we get out of this vicious homeless circle we will be more likely to contain people within Croydon.”

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