| Pauline Wilson and William Herd are unwilling residents at the Your Hotel, on Strathmore Avenue, after “major damp” in their Deveron Crescent flat began to impact on their health.
Four weeks on, the angry couple say they are no closer to being re-homed, despite council promises.
Pauline said, “We are completely fed up with how we’ve been treated. They don’t seem to have taken our disabilities into account at all.”
A serious road traffic accident in 1999 means William (31) suffers from a catalogue of health conditions, including epilepsy and chronic kidney failure.
He also experiences problems related to a crushed chest and brain injuries he sustained.
Pauline (42) has suffered from ME for years and also has osteoarthritis and osteopenia, a bone condition.
The couple claim the council has not given due consideration to the difficulties they experience beacause of ill health.
“We moved back to Dundee three years ago because William needs dialysis three times a week. We thought being in Dundee would make our life a lot easier. But it has actually made it a lot worse,” Pauline said.
“We have had problems with being housed from the moment we got here. The damp at Deveron Crescent is unbelievable.
“We should never have been housed there with our health problems.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman insisted it had acted in the couple’s best interests.
He said, “We have been keeping our tenants updated on a daily basis with progress on the house because we are aware of their circumstances.
“The repair work has been completed and a housing officer will be contacting them soon to explain about options for installing a shower and redecoration.
“We would like to have this work undertaken before they move back in to avoid further disruption to them.”
But the couple, originally told the repairs would be finished by September 25, inspected the flat this week and say it is as bad as ever.
Pauline added, “It is still absolutely riddled with damp. Both William and I have serious health problems. If William was to pick up a serious infection with his weakened chest it could kill him.”
The couple are seeking a flat closer to Ninewells Hospital, where William goes for dialysis.
William said, “I will not go back to that house.” |
