Mum and disabled son, 3, begging for two-bed home with garden after being left homeless as landlord sells house
A HEARTBROKEN mum is begging for a new home with a garden for her disabled son after they were left homeless.
Jenna Naik and her son Devesh, 3, have been forced to live in hotels after their landlord sold the property in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
The 37-year-old mum has been told that she might be forced to wait 18 months to be given a permanent home by Shropshire Council.
Jenna and Devesh, who has severe autism and a severe developmental disability, had been living in India, but moved back last year and rented a barn conversion from a friend.
But they were left homeless after the pal was forced to sell the property, and they have been unable to find another house to privately rent.
Yoga teacher Jenna and Devesh have been staying in hotels for six days, initially in Newcastle-under-Lyme and then Shrewsbury.
Speaking to Jenna said: "I was working in India as a yoga teacher trainer. When Covid started my son started displaying signs and has now been diagnosed with autism and severe developmental disability.
"We came back from India as I wanted to find a good educational setting for my son.
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"A friend of a friend let us stay in a barn conversion for a year which was a dream, at a cheap rate, but then she said I'm going to have to sell.
"I've been trying to rent properties for the whole year and being turned away all the time.
"Then I started getting desperate and I was panicking as I only had a couple of months.
"I've never had anything like this before, it's so scary.
"I contacted the local authority and joined HomePoint and I've had no luck with that.
"On Saturday I phoned the emergency housing number in crisis and said I've got a son with autism, I'm struggling and homeless and they said they can't put me anywhere in Shropshire.
"I waited for hours for a call back, I spoke to a lovely girl who got me a hotel and she said there were 300 people that day in the same position.
"They sent me to Newcastle-under-Lyme and luckily I've got a friend who works for the council and they said we can go to the Prince Rupert Hotel in Shrewsbury today.”
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'I WAS DESPERATE'
The single mum put up a plea on asking for help, with dozens of people sharing the appeal with offers of help.
Jenna added: "I didn't expect that kind of response. I don't use Facebook for personal stuff but I was desperate and I thought what was I going to do?"
"I need to cook for my son, he has a specific routine and it's not possible in a hotel room. He has significant needs where I need to be on him constantly.
"Ironically I was teaching yoga to the homeless people at the Prince Rupert Hotel previously and now I'm living there.
"They said I could be in temporary accommodation for 18 months.
"We need two bedrooms with a garden as he needs outdoor space, I can't accept anything as I don't want to be in this position again."
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Laura Fisher, Shropshire Council’s head of housing, resettlement and independent living, said: “The housing options team are aware of Ms Naik’s case and her need for emergency accommodation over the weekend.
"I can confirm Ms Naik has a housing options officer, and is in regular contact with him while we look for a more suitable temporary option for her, as well as a permanent housing solution long term.”
