Gayle 'trapped in her own home' (From Free Press Series)

Gayle 'trapped in her own home'

A WHEELCHAIR-bound woman says she is a prisoner in her own home because Torfaen Council has provided inadequate help to find her suitable accommodation.

Gayle King lives in a ground floor flat in Upland Drive, Trevethin, but has to negotiate 14 steps every time she wants to leave or enter her home.

She says the only time she can leave her home is when the South Wales Ambulance Service collects her for hospital appointments.

Miss King said: "I have been fighting with my health all my life, but now I am at my lowest."

The 31-year-old suffers from a kidney problem, which leaves her prone to infections and depression.

"I spent four months in rehabilitation at the County Hospital, Griffithstown, during which time I was assessed and told I would not be allowed to go back to my flat because it was unsuitable.

"I had to leave hospital because they were short of beds and returned to my flat."

The family said they face a conflict of advice, first of all Miss King was told she would be given a bungalow, but advice from another council official said her accommodation would be adapted to suit her needs.

"They have gone back on their word.

"Now they are saying I have to bid for properties in the Homefinder booklet but they don't advertise the property I need," she said.

A Council spokesperson said: "Homefinder is a choice-based lettings scheme which allows the customer to exercise choice and preference.

"Each property has criteria which clearly illustrates who the property is suitable for.

"Adverts are published fortnightly in the Homefinder Bulletin, which requires eligible people to bid for a property by returning a coupon.

"In order to deal with cases in the greatest need, 'Priority Cards' are issued to deal with particularly vulnerable persons or those to whom the Council has a legal duty to provide priority re-housing.

"Miss King has been registered with Homefinder since September 2005 and received a priority card on medical grounds in February 2006 which will assist her with finding specific property types.

"Since Miss King registered with Homefinder and received her priority card she has not bid for an alternative property.

"In this time, there have been three suitable properties for priority card holders and one for all Homefinders."