A FED-UP resident has hit out at Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT), claiming it has failed to deal with her anti-social neighbours who are ‘making her life a nightmare’.
Catherine Kelly told the Standard she was suffering from depression and anxiety because she felt ignored by the housing trust.
The mother of two said: “We have been living in this Catshill property for three years but after the second month, I wanted to move out.
“I have suffered many issues during my time here, including a fly infestation in my home.
“It took BDHT two years to sort out the flies in my sewage pipes and only after writing to my MP Sajid Javid, asking for help, did they finally come round.”
Catherine, 24, also claims there is an ongoing drug problems in her block.
“There’s always a strong smell of cannabis in my property which has gone unresolved because BDHT said there was no ‘evidence’ to back it up.
“People camp under the stairwells, smoke and drink all night long, repeatedly knock on doors and intimidate me when I return home.”
She says both her daughters suffer from sleepless nights due to ‘endless stomping’ and a dog barking in the flat above.
“I have suffered anxiety attacks and even turned up to the BDHT offices crying through desperation but still had no support.”
Catherine said she had asked to transfer homes but was yet to be allocated a suitable property.
BDHT’s director of housing and communities Graeme Anderson said he was in touch with Catherine and wanted to help.
According to Mr Anderson BDHT has taken a proactive approach in trying to resolve the issues while considering the best interests of all the tenants.
He said: “It was disappointing that Ms Kelly was unable to attend the previous mediation session but we are happy to arrange another if she would like to participate, so we can address her concerns alongside the other parties.
“We are aware of the limitations of a first floor property where children are involved.
“But we are tackling an acute pressure on affordable housing in Bromsgrove where we currently have 82 families living in similar flats who are on the waiting list for two-bedroom houses.”
