A bereaved woman with complex needs faces being forced out of her family home in Reading following the death of her mum.
Claire Wall-Weeks, a mum of three adult daughters, suddenly passed away last year.
Now her daughter Siereece, who has multiple disabilities, faces eviction from the family home in Garston Close, Southcote.
That is because she is living in a Reading Borough Council property, which she is unable to inherit.
Mrs Wall-Weeks faced a battle to get the property some 26 years ago, after giving birth to twin daughters.
Now her daughters are facing a similar struggle.
Brianna Wall-Weeks said: “Once again, we’re facing a housing crisis with the council, and this is not the first time.
“Around 26 years ago, my mum had to fight the council to secure a home for our family.
“The situation was serious enough that it was covered by the papers at the time.”
Mrs Wall-Weeks was renting in Salisbury Road, West Reading, before being able to secure the end-of-terrace house in Southcote.
Briana was five years-old back then.
She said: “Now, after my mum’s death last year, history is repeating itself.
“My sister, who has lived in that home her entire life, is now being threatened with eviction.
“She is extremely vulnerable. She has Type 1 diabetes, cerebral palsy, an eating disorder, and severe mental health difficulties. I live directly across the road and I am her main carer. We rely on each other daily.
“Our mum passed away suddenly after being admitted to hospital and dying just six days later following a misdiagnosis. Since then, everything has deteriorated.
“Despite being told she could remain in the property for a period of time, the council have now issued a Notice of Seeking Possession, stating the home is under-occupied.”
The notice was sent on Wednesday, March 25.
Briana said: “It feels like we are reliving the same situation my mum went through all those years ago fighting to keep a roof over our heads, despite clear vulnerability and need.
“This home is not just a property, it is the only place my sister feels safe and the last connection she has to our mum.”
The council has been asked whether it would allow Siereece to stay at home.
While families can ‘inherit’ council properties, this is dependent on whether the size of the home matches the tenant’s needs.
A spokesperson said: “The council is very mindful of Ms Wall‑Weeks’ individual needs and will do everything possible to support her in securing housing that is suitable for those needs.
“Under the Housing Act 1985, a council tenancy can normally pass to one qualifying family member on the death of a tenant, known as succession.
“Where a successor is living in a property that is significantly larger than their assessed housing need, the council may seek possession of the property.
“In doing so, the law requires the council to ensure that suitable alternative accommodation is available, and an offer of a suitably sized home will be made.
“In this case, the tenant has an identified one‑bedroom housing need, while the current property has three bedrooms.
“The council must also consider the significant and growing number of families on Reading’s housing register who are in urgent need of three‑bedroom accommodation, and its duty to make best use of its limited housing stock.
“We fully recognise that the prospect of moving can be extremely unsettling. For this reason, the council has delayed progressing action for as long as possible to allow the tenant with the support of her family time to explore alternative suitable housing options.
“The council’s offer of support to the tenant and her family remains open.”
