Mum, toddler ‘left to the rats’ - Alishea Hoy begs council to rehouse her and son Gabriel
Published: 09 June 2011
by PAVAN AMARA
A MOTHER claims housing officials have abandoned her and her two-year-old son in a rat-infested flat that experts have labelled a “health hazard”.
Alishea Hoy, 26, and son Gabriel have had to dodge the rodents in their home in Pratt Street, Camden Town.
They were housed in the privately rented property last July by the Town Hall and officials said this week they were working to find a “solution”.
Ms Hoy, whose rent is covered by housing benefit, said: “The rats climbed up the hose of my Hoover, and jumped into the bags. Me and Gabriel have both had lots of stomach infections since moving in here. Gabriel has even been bitten by a rat. He started walking with a limp, and we had to take him to the Royal Free Hospital for X-rays and blood tests.”
An independent pest control firm designated the flat a “category one health hazard” last month, according to an environmental health report seen by the New Journal. More than 500 droppings were found behind the bath and evidence of a “long-term infestation” was discovered.
The report said: “Rodents appear untroubled by being observed in bright light conditions – that suggests a long-term infestation.”
Camden Council now say they will help Ms Hoy find another rented property.
A spokeswoman for Ms Hoy’s solicitor said: “There has been a delay and failure to carry out an assessment. She has been left with a toddler in insanitary conditions. Everybody who has assessed the place says it’s in no condition to live in, so Camden Council has basically made her homeless at home. Alishea has urgent housing needs so Camden Council has a duty to get take her and her child out of this. The director of housing could make a discretionary decision, but hasn’t.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We sympathise with Ms Hoy’s situation but stress that the problems have arisen in a private tenancy; we have been working to remedy the pest problem with our environmental health service. We have offered Ms Hoy alternative rented accommodation in the private sector and we are doing our best to assist her in finding a solution to her accommodation problems.”