A social housing tenant who is 'trapped' in a damp home claims mould in the property is making her family ill and causing her eyes to swell.
Billie Edwards, who lives in St Austell, Cornwall, says she and her two children have been forced to spend several nights a week with her sister over 25 miles away after she suffered repeat symptoms in the property.
She told Cornwall Live that the family have "living in hell" for nine years after also being on the receiving end of antisocial behaviour, and claims her housing provider have repeatedly declined to facilitate a move.
But Ocean Housing says work to eradicate the mould has been rejected by Miss Edwards, who in turn says the solution suggested wouldn't have solved the problem.
Miss Edwards, whose children are aged nine and two, says she has video evidence of people trying to kick in her front door and has also had a kitchen window smashed, her car vandalised and damage to her children's toys in the garden.
She told Cornwall Live: "I've tried to put in for a managed move and they said I wasn't reaching the criteria as there's not enough evidence that my life is at risk.
"There's a severe case of mould in the flat; it's taken Ocean Housing months to get back to me. I've had to get the housing ombudsman, my local MP, adult social services, Citizen's Advice involved, as well as Cornwall Council as I've had to put in for a damp repair application. I've been going through all the channels.
"I get an allergic reaction to the mould. Every time I go to clean it or even get near it my eyes swell up. They're really sore and irritable and it's affected my vision. The doctor has verified it's the mould affecting my eyes. My two-year-old is constantly ill through it as well. I've gone to Ocean Housing and told them."
But she says that when the council sent someone out to view the mould, the authority only sent someone from a painting and decorating firm to "wash the walls down, let it dry and then put some paper on it", which she says would not solve the problem.
Billie, who was statutory homeless before being given the property by her local council in 2014, says she is now "waiting for a call back" from housing association Ocean as she has made a formal complaint.
The mum added she now stays with her sister in Falmouth four nights a week just to give my "eyes a break", and that she and her children also suffer from asthma.
Frances Turner, the managing director of Ocean Housing, said: “We are sorry to hear that Miss Edwards has experienced some problems with her property and tenancy. We have a proactive approach to reports of damp and mould and visited Miss Edwards home in February to carry out a survey.
"A contractor was appointed to complete the necessary works, but unfortunately this had been refused by Miss Edwards. However, after speaking to her yesterday we are pleased that she is now talking to us about a mutually agreeable date.
"We have investigated Miss Edwards' previous reports of anti-social behaviour and we have no evidence which shows that she needs immediate rehousing."
They added that they would "continue to work with Miss Edwards and the police", and have offered advice on options about finding another home through mutual exchange or the HomeChoice housing register.
