Angela's story

Angela has received support from one of Shelter's Families Projects.

'This December my three children and I will spend a second Christmas in our new home, having previously spent two Christmases living in poor quality temporary accommodation. It was a horrible time in a horrible place.

'I was 27 years old. My husband, our two children and I were living in our own house. My husband and I both worked full time. Everything seemed great.

'But my husband had problems with alcohol and was sometimes abusive. We separated for a year, but when he seemed to be back on track we decided to give it another go. He started drinking again and when our third child was six weeks old, I showed him the door.

'I returned to work full time until my baby daughter became very ill and I had to take unpaid leave to look after her. Suffering from severe postnatal depression and having taken so much time off work, I felt like I had to resign. Then my husband left his job and was unable to pay any maintenance. Unable to pay the mortgage, I was forced to sell our family home. The money went on mortgage arrears and fees.

'I had phoned the council before I sold my flat but they couldn't help because I wasn't officially homeless. Eventually they decided to put me in a temporary flat but admitted that it was overcrowded. The first week in that flat I felt like walking out in front of a bus.

'When I finally spoke to someone from the council they told me I could stay in the flat for anything up to 12 months. I was so shocked.

'Someone gave me the phone number for a Shelter Families Project. I was nearly hysterical when I rang them. They very quickly sorted out school transport and other stuff for me. Finally I felt like I had someone to help me.

'We stayed in temporary accommodation for a total of 23 months. Our lives were on hold the whole time. I felt angry, frustrated and neglected. My baby daughter spent her first two Christmases as a homeless child.

'I had requested a move several times. But I was told my choice was either a bed and breakfast, or away from my town, away from my family and children's school. These were not choices for me but ultimatums.

'When I was finally told last December that I was moving into permanent housing, I cried and didn't believe it was true. It has taken a lot to get through the last few years but finally I feel like we are on the up again.'