Single mother of two, of Dover, placed in bed and breakfast without a home weeks before Christmas

Published: 08:00, 01 December 2014

A single mother-of-two, who suffers from “extreme anxiety”, is being made homeless from her rented accommodation just weeks before Christmas.

Emily Shephard, 30, of Devonshire Road, Dover, who has suffered domestic abuse in the past, was served with an eviction notice after complaining about a persistent damp problem in the property.

She said it started to have a negative affect on the children, five-year-old Lily and two-year-old Cooper.

Mother Emily Shephard fears of becoming homeless after eviction, seen here with, Lily aged five and Cooper aged two

Miss Shephard said: “I was compelled to contact the health services about some persistent damp in the property that was affecting my children’s health."

The landlord, according to Miss Shephard, was “unable to fund the necessary repairs” which was why the notice had been served.

The single mum, a former air hostess, went to court where she was granted a time extension so that she could find another home. But Thursday marked the end of that time.

Now living in a bed and breakfast, with her belongings in storage, Miss Shephard fears that her anxiety will become unbearable.

"I fear more than anything that being placed in this bed and breakfast hotel with my two young children will exacerbate my condition..." - Miss Shephard

She said: “My current situation is such that the anxiety and depression I have suffered from, long-term, and have worked so hard in therapy to beat, is once again rearing its ugly head.

“I fear more than anything that being placed in this bed and breakfast hotel with my two young children will exacerbate my condition.

“Cooper, my son, attends speech therapy and one of the fundamental elements of his therapy is stability and consistency in day-to-day things, environment playing a major role.

“Lily has had ongoing problems with her hearing and ear infections and is particularly sensitive to unfamiliar and unexpected sounds.

“She becomes distressed and panicked, and it’s heartbreaking to witness.”

Miss Shephard is waiting on the council housing list and cannot find a privately rented property to live in because of her low income.

She said: “Renting privately is not a viable option for us as we do not possess the means to pay the associated advance rent, security deposits and administration fees.

“Although Dover District Council have offered to assist with their guarantor scheme, it has been impossible to find a private landlord or even a housing association that will accept this.”