A MOTHER in Rhyl has said she feels “helpless” in her fight to avoid homelessness, with six weeks to find alternative accommodation for her family.

Stevie Allen-Thomas is facing eviction from the three-bedroom town house near Rhyl skatepark which she lives in with her partner, John, and the five children they have between them, ranging from ages one to 10.

The family collected their Section 21 order in August, which then started in early September, and expires at the start of November.

But Stevie, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mother, said efforts to move her family elsewhere have so far proved fruitless.

Stevie, who is in band two for SARTH (Single Access Route To Housing), said: “We’ve contacted everyone we possibly could; estate agents, Denbighshire County Council, (homeless charity) Shelter Cymru, but we’ve got nowhere.

“We’re constantly looking for private accommodation, but there are just one- or two-bedroom flats.

“We even contemplated downsizing, just to have a house. At this point, I have nowhere.

“We’re at a point where we have to wait and hope the council eventually do something, but there are a lot of people in the same boat as us.

“The council haven't done anything, bar say it will be about four weeks until I hear from them again, as I'm not a priority.”

A possible option for Stevie and her family is to move in to the Westminster Hotel, on East Parade.

Last month, Rhyl resident Leanne Taylor told the Journal how she and her three children have been staying at the hotel since being made homeless in July 2021.

READ MORE:

Rhyl mum pleads for help finding home after more than a year of homelessness

Rhyl family’s relief at finding new home after ‘absolute nightmare’ 18 months

But Stevie added: “There are friends of ours who have been placed in the Westminster Hotel, and I’m just not prepared to put my children through that.

“My partner and I are going through some mental health issues, which we’re currently seeking help for.

“I feel absolutely helpless; I don’t have a say in anything. It’s mind-blowing. It really does mess with your head. I worry of my kids being on the street – it’s a constant fear.

“I feel, in this day and age, I just don't stand a chance. With what's going on, so many people and families deserve better.”

In response, a Denbighshire County Council spokesperson reaffirmed its commitment to helping anyone made homeless.

Its homelessness prevention team will also offer support to any such families in the county.

The spokesperson said: "The council acknowledges that there are waiting times for family accommodation and we are working hard to reduce the list by fully addressing the need for more housing provision.

“An assessment process is followed for anyone facing homelessness by our homelessness prevention team to determine the level of support needed.

“We manage all applications in accordance with legislation and although we do try our very best to prevent homelessness, some people will still become homeless.

“At this point, the council will offer and provide temporary emergency accommodation to support their welfare.

“The council will also allocate support workers from the homelessness prevention team to those reported as homeless.

“We will work closely with them to provide help and support for finding suitable move on accommodation.”

In July, Denbighshire County Council leader, Cllr Jason McLellan, said he intends to reinvest council funds into building affordable homes and purchasing new council houses.

These plans came about after a council report revealed roughly 180 households in the county are placed in temporary accommodation annually.

The report also found that one family of three lived in a cellar, and that a large number of those presenting as homeless are single people aged 35 or younger, and large families.

Despite this, the council said it has secured tenancies for 99 households in social housing in the last 18 months.

The report showed the number of people living on the street in Denbighshire was in single figures.

A spokesperson for Shelter Cymru added: “We have seen a significant rise in the last year in the number of no-fault eviction notices given to tenants, and it has a devastating impact on people’s lives.

“Families are told to leave their homes in just two months and are struggling to find alternative properties to rent.

“Local authority homelessness services are under great pressure at the moment to try and find suitable homes for people in this situation, as there already over 8,000 people living in temporary accommodation in Wales.

“This highlights the urgent need to build more social homes that will give people security for the future, and a home that is secure and affordable.

“Private renters like Stevie also need more rights and security, so that they don’t face the threat of short notice evictions and the upheaval that this brings.”

The MP for Vale of Clwyd, James Davies, expressed his sympathies with Stevie and her family, and said he would reach out to them in the hope of offering any support.

Dr Davies said: “I have a huge amount of sympathy with Stevie and her housing situation. Being issued with a Section 21 notice is extremely stressful.

“I will get in contact with Stevie to see what further support I might be able to offer.

“Regrettably, the demand for properties is extremely high in Denbighshire, and I have a number of constituents in similar situations who are waiting to be appropriately housed by the council.

“I hope that council will be able to work constructively with Stevie to ensure that her housing situation is resolved as quickly as possible for her family.”

Welsh Government was also approached for comment but declined to do so.