Mum 'abandoned' by council claim (From Free Press Series)

Mum 'abandoned' by council claim

A YOUNG mum says she and her children have been left homeless after Torfaen Council refused to house her.

Natalie Powell, aged 21, of Pontnewynydd, and her two sons Jack, aged two, and Tyler, aged six months, have been relying on the generosity of friends, staying with them as she tries to secure her own accommodation.

The Free Press reported in March how Miss Powell and her sons were living in a two-bedroom terrace house in Freeholdland with her mum and step-father. She had been previously sent to Newport Hotel, but left after one night after being advised not to stay there by Torfaen Social Services. The situation has worsened after a change in circumstances meant Miss Powell had to move out of her mum's home last week.

Miss Powell said: "I contacted the emergency housing officer and they put me and the children into Newport Hotel for the night. We stayed there but the following morning the council cancelled the room. They are now saying they have no duty to put us in a home because I would not stay at Newport Hotel before.

"I feel that the council has abandoned us, we have been left homeless. I just want to be housed with my children."

A spokesman for Torfaen said: "Miss Powell lost her priority card after failing to live at a property made available to her in January. This meant we can now only offer her advice and information on her accommodation options."