I’m a pregnant mum-of-two and I’ve been living in a tent for a month with my kids, 7 and 10…no one will help us
A PREGNANT mum-of-two has revealed how she has been living in a tent for a month with her young kids, aged 7 and 10.
Sasha Osborn, 31, her partner, and two children, first became homeless in November after falling behind on their rent.
The factory worker, from Lincolnshire, could not keep up with payments as her wages were docked to a quarter of her usual pay when she was off sick with Covid.
However, Boston Borough Council denied these allegations and claimed that the family became “homeless intentionally”.
The council added that the family had “the means to pay the rent and chose not to”.
Desperate Sarah told the BBC: “It’s chaos. [We’re] a wreck. It’s unlivable.
“People with kids should not be thinking about where their kids have got to sleep from one night to the next.
“Like people who are on drugs sit at home on their a***s all day, have social workers that help them keep their kids and help them with their housing.
“And Boston Borough council help people who are addicted to drugs, they put them in all these houses.
“There’s all these houses for single people or couples but there’s nothing for people with children.”
Sasha, who recently found out she was nine weeks pregnant, has been homeless with her family since their eviction months ago.
The family were initially placed in a hotel in Skegness, which was 20 miles away from where she worked.
Sasha said they were later placed in a multiple occupancy hostel for six months.
But the worried mum said the site was not safe for her children, one of whom has special educational needs.
Now, just days ago, they pitched their tent in a family member’s back yard as they had access to facilities, such as running water.
But due to change in circumstance, they had to leave and are now living in a woodland.
When they were located in the family member’s garden, the family were visited by social services and Sasha claimed the social worker said their set up was “lovely”.
However, she was also told that their situation did not “meet the criteria” to get assistance.
Because she had access to running water and other facilities, she say her circumstance was described as ‘”fine”.
‘CHAOS’
Sasha said: “Routine’s gone out the window, especially now. When it’s ten o’clock at night, it’s still daylight outside, my children won’t sleep until it’s pitch black.
“I believe I am entitled to support and housing, one hundred percent, my kids are entitled to it.”
The mother also claimed that she was told her children “must stay” with other family members but says there are “safeguarding issues that are being ignored”.
The children have now been separated from each other, sleeping at two different houses with other family members, with the pair said to be “confused” and “frightened”.
A spokesperson from Boston Borough Council, said: “An investigation by Boston Borough Council found that Miss Osborn had the means to pay rent and had made the decision not to.
“As a result of this, the Council provided temporary accommodation to Miss Osborn and her family until late May, which was considered reasonable based on her circumstances, to give her time to find somewhere to live.”
The spokesperson added: “Over 1,000 households either directly contacted the Council’s Homelessness Service or were referred to the Council during 2022-23 because they required advice or assistance.
“Where possible, the Council prioritises preventing people from becoming homeless which can include reducing rent arrears, assistance to obtain private rented accommodation or social housing but if unable to prevent homelessness, temporary accommodation will be provided if entitled.”
Tara Jones, assistant director for children’s safeguarding at Lincolnshire County Council said: “We want all local children to be safe, so, even though we aren’t the housing authority, we’re working hard to support the family through this difficult situation.
“This is a complex case, and we’re exploring all options to help get the family into suitable housing.”