Holme Wood family of 12 finally get a bigger home (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Holme Wood family of 12 finally get a bigger home

9:30am Monday 13th February 2012 in News By Hannah Baker

A Bradford family of 12 who spent years crammed into a three-bedroom house have finally won their battle for a larger home.

Donna Harrison, 35, and Fabian Bland, 43, who lived in a terraced house in Draycott Walk, Holme Wood, with ten children aged between two and five, have now been handed the keys to an eight-bedroom former children’s home in nearby St Margaret’s Avenue.

Miss Harrison, who cares for her sister’s three children, who would otherwise be in the care of social services, as well as six of her own children and her partner’s daughter, said: “I’m over the moon.

“Getting this house is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. All the kids absolutely love it and I love it.

“It’s made a really big change to our lives. They have their own space, they can do their homework. They have space to do whatever they want to do.”

The couple said they were forced to reject several houses offered to them by social landlord Incommunities because they were also too small and Bradford Council initially told them they would be unable to move into the former children’s home when it became vacant last September.

They contacted Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe and Councillor Michael Johnson (Lab, Tong) for help securing a larger home.

Mr Sutcliffe said: “We are pleased that finally common sense prevailed and through co-operation and understanding of the family’s needs they were finally able to be housed appropriately. It’s sad it took the length of time that it did.”

Among those to previously speak out about the family’s plight was Cathy Ashley, chief executive of the Family Rights Group charity, who described their former living conditions as “hellish”.

On learning of their move, she said: “We are very pleased that this seems a happy ending. Many family, friends and carers across the country continue to struggle to get suitable accommodation.

“Sadly we know of children in the care system who could have been living with their wider family if help with housing had been provided.”