A FAMILY-of-four squashed into a one-bed flat are pleading for Basildon Council to help them find a bigger home so they can continue to care for their 97-year-old grandmother.

John Borrill and his wife Pearl, 63, live in Basildon Council sheltered accommodation for over 55s in Great Oxcroft Court.

About two years ago John, 67, moved his mother, Maisie, into the flat as her health deteriorated.

The couple share the one-bed flat in cramped conditions, with Maisie sleeping on a hospital bed in the living room.

After being contacted by the Echo, Basildon Council has insisted it will do all it can to find them a suitable home.

John said: “It’s only supposed to be me and my wife in here but I had to look after my mother.

“The council said we are breaching the tenancy with how many people we have here, but they know about my mother being here already, as we are trying to get rehoused into a two-bedroom property.

“We have to look after her, she can’t live on her own anymore.”

 

Care - Maisie, 97, needs care from the family.

Care - Maisie, 97, needs care from the family.

 

Last week the family received letters from the council informing them action would be taken after a neighbour told the council the Borrill’s had family staying with them.

Over Christmas, their son Kevin, 37, who was released from prison in December and had been living rough also moved in, sleeping in a tent in the garden.

John added: “My son came out of prison with nowhere to go and was living on the streets until the council asked me to take him in over Christmas while they looked for somewhere for him to stay.”

 

Crowded - Kevin, 37, sleeps in a tent in the garden.

Crowded - Kevin, 37, sleeps in a tent in the garden.

 

Kevin, 37, said: “It’s an absolute joke. My gran used to live alone but because of her health she was a danger to herself, she was leaving candles alight that could have set fire to her place.

“My dad had to make the decision to bring her down here for her own safety.”

A Basildon Council spokesperson said: “John Borrill’s mother has not and will not be evicted from her son’s flat by the council. We are currently in the process of assessing an application for larger accommodation for John, his partner, and his mother via our housing register.

“Kevin Borrill is currently being assisted by our Housing Solutions Team with securing accommodation in the privately rented sector under homelessness legislation, and whilst his case is ongoing we have made him an offer of emergency accommodation.”