Priya's story

Priya initially had substantial rent arrears and had been served with a NOSP in the summer. Which resulted in possession being granted and the bailiffs called.

On the day of the eviction, Priya was found sitting in the corner of her living room terrified and disorientated. It was clear that she was unwell and the housing officer cancelled the eviction.

However, no referral was made to supported housing at that time. The housing and income officer concentrated on the rent arrears issues, as the arrears began to increase again the income officer referred her to supported housing in November 2008. When Priya was visited by her housing officer she was frightened that she was going to be evicted and she was still very unwell, she was alcohol dependent, has an eating disorder and suffers with clinical depression.

Priya said that when the housing officer visited in the summer she was promised that she would be referred to supported housing to help her with both her health problems and rent arrears. Priya had been waiting five months for someone to visit her from support, as a result she was very hostile and mistrustful, feeling that she was alone and clearly not coping.

Working with Priya has included referral to White Lodge, an alcohol unit, registering her with her GP to tackle her eating disorder, bereavement counselling and CMHT assessment.