Kirsty Morris: Pregnant woman faces eviction after family death

Kirsty Morris, five-year-old Tia, and partner Andrew

A pregnant woman and her family are facing eviction after the death of her mother left the house back in the hands of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Kirsty Morris, 24, moved in with her mother Karen's house in Middleton to help out after discovering she was severely ill with brain and lung cancer.

In January, Karen lost her battle with cancer, leaving daughter Kirsty in the property with her five-year-old Tia and partner Andrew. The family left their private-rented accommodation to move into the house.

Family friend Linda Scott told Rochdale Online News that attempts had been made as the family moved in to sign documents with RBH, but were later told that they don’t qualify.

She said: “We all know how these things work, and there are plenty more families in a similar situation. The thing is, there should be a protected law against specific cases, some kind of human rights law that gives an exception to cases like Kirsty’s.

“She was told she might even have to go to a mother and baby unit, imagine what kind of effect that would have on her family. To top it all off, she has just lost her mother. It’s a hard time for them and in cases like this, there should be a little more understanding.”

Kirsty is very early in her pregnancy and Linda is worried about the effect being moved could have. She added: “All this stress could have a devastating effect on her. She has already suffered the death of her mum and is living in her house without her. You can’t put a grieving pregnant woman in a baby unit away from her partner, you just can’t”.

A spokesperson for Rochdale Boroughwide Housing said: “RBH fully understands that this is a very difficult time for Ms Morris and her family and we will continue to work sensitively with her to resolve the situation.

"In doing this RBH needs to balance how we support the family together with the affordability of the home, the legal position and the housing needs of other local families.”

Linda has set up a petition for Kirsty and her family to try and avoid eviction. To view, visit:

https://www.change.org/p/rochdale-borough-housing-should-this-family-be-homeless