TRAPPED in her own home, multiple sclerosis sufferer Lucy Meszaros is desperate to move into a house with disabled access.
Instead, she feels a prisoner in Churchdown, unable to leave home without her full-time carer, husband Mike, 52, as she is now too weak without her wheelchair.
Mike has had to quit his lorry driver job to look after her and their two sons, Mikey, 12, and Joshua, 15.
In March, the couple took the difficult decision to put their family home on the market. To make matters worse, they will not be eligible for housing benefit until their Purton Lane property is sold.
Council rules state he cannot claim housing benefit for a more suitable property until he has sold his own home. And if the home sells, the family could end up in unsuitable temporary accommodation because of the wait to find somewhere that meets their particular needs.
"Lucy is deteriorating fast and is living like a hermit as she can't leave the house on her own," said Mike, who also suffers from a lung condition.
"There are steps up to the front door, and at the rear patio doors, so she is trapped unless I am there. She has lost all independence. I was disgusted at the suggestion from the council to ask our occupational therapist to supply a ramp to prevent my wife falling out of the door."
Mike has signed up to the council-run Homeseekers scheme, but has been barred from moving to a Brockworth bungalow on financial grounds. If their home does sell, the family may have to move into a hotel until they can find a permanent alternative.
Severn Vale Housing has ruled out installing stairlifts or lower access showers, limiting properties that are available. Mike has received a response from Tewkesbury Borough Council, offering temporary suitable accommodation.
"The temporary accommodation has to be suitable for your needs," it said.
"It would depend at the time as to what accommodation was available to the council to use. If the Housing Team is aware of any property perfect for your needs, we would look to direct match you, this means only you would be considered for the property. Temporary Housing properties are fully furnished with everything you would need apart from your own duvets.
"You would only have to pack once, your furniture would go into storage and would be unpacked when you are housed on a permanent basis.
"Due to the lack of properties available, unfortunately we have very little choice around where you would be able to reside should you have to leave your home when sold."
