A heart warming story

[Mega]

• 
  

• By Liverpool Echo
• Comments

Bedroom tax ring of steel in Kirkby

2 Aug 2013 08:05 Protest after woman who was evicted from home says process was 'turbo-charged'



Share on printShare on email




Irene Lockett, centre, and her supporters formed a 'ring of steel' around her home

A Merseyside community formed a ring of steel around a bedroom tax victim’s house after fears her possessions would be removed without her consent.

Irene Lockett, 52, from Kirkby, was evicted from her four-bedroom home of 20 years, two weeks ago after a build-up of historic arrears was exacerbated by the effects of the bedroom tax.

All Irene’s six children have now left home meaning she is penalised for the empty rooms by £23.24 per week.
Residents of Shaldon Close and campaigners formed a circle of solidarity on Wednesday in support of Irene insisting her eviction has been “turbo-charged”.

Having been given a time-limit she had begun gradually removing her belongings but had nowhere to store them.

But according to the family, the situation reached a critical point on Tuesday.

Irene’s eldest daughter, Kelly, who she has been staying with, said: “I was phoned at 3.15pm on Tuesday and asked when my mum’s stuff was coming out of the house. They only gave us two weeks even though we were told we had 28 days.”

The family believed Irene’s remaining belongings were to be removed by the following day, prompting action.
Irene Lockett
Landlord Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) said policy is to allow seven days for a tenant to collect their property but this was extended to 14 days for Irene and they had twice allowed her access to collect her belongings.
A spokeswoman for KHT said a housing officer told Irene that the 14 day period was about to run out but she did not make an appointment to collect her things.

She said they did not arrive at the property on Wednesday, granted Irene access yesterday and are now helping to find storage space.

The spokeswoman added: “It is not KHT’s policy to remove belongings without arrangements in place with the tenant and this suggestion was never made.”

KHT said Irene has had rent arrears since 2001 and in 2010 KHT was granted a suspended possession order for the property.

They stressed Irene was offered suitable alternative accommodation within Kirkby but she refused.

[Mega]

Re: A heart warming story

Not paid her rent in full in 13 years!
6 Kids (1 per father?)
Was offered a new home, refused!

Mike

[bungee]

Re: A heart warming story

Not paid her rent in full in 13 years!
6 Kids (1 per father?)
Was offered a new home, refused!

Mike

Made me think off this I read recently,


Single Mum at Centrelink

A woman walks into centrelink, trailed by 15 kids.

“WOW!” The social worker exclaims. “Are they all yours?”

“Yep, they are all mine,” the flustered mum sighs, having heard that question a thousand times before.

She says, “Sit down Leroy.” All the children rush to find seats.

‘Well,’ says the social worker, “then you must be here to sign up. I’ll need all your children’s names.”

“Well, to keep it simple, the boys are all named ‘Leroy’ and the girls are all named ‘Leighroy’.”

In disbelief, the case worker. “Are you serious? They’re ALL named Leroy?”

Their momma replied, “Well, yes-it makes it easier. When it’s time to get them out of bed and ready for school, I yell, ‘Leroy!’ An’ when it’s time for dinner, I just yell ‘Leroy!’ an they all comes a runnin. An’ if I need to stop the kid who’s running into the street, I just yell Leroy’ and all of them stop. It’s the smartest idea I ever had, namin’ them all Leroy.”

The social worker thinks this over for a bit, then wrinkles her forehead and says tentatively, “But what if you just want ONE kid to come, and not the whole bunch ?”

“Then I call them by their last names.”