Paralympics star suffered ‘mental breakdown’ trying to find social housing
A Paralympic gold-medal winner has said she suffered a "mental breakdown" while trying to find social housing in Stockport.
Megan Giglia, an athlete and motivational speaker, won gold in track cycling at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, securing Great Britain's first medal in the competition.
But she faced becoming homeless after a no-fault eviction from her rented Stockport home last year, and had to leave the property in March.
She was left staying in a hotel with her son, getting support from Stockport Homes while bidding for social housing properties.
The social housing provider said it understands how distressing the situation has been for Megan, and has done everything it can to support her and others in similar situations.
Social housing is in huge demand in the borough, where there were more than 9,000 applicants and fewer than 600 properties available last year.
The shortage has left many in Stockport bidding for social housing facing lengthy waits, with council officials saying in October that it could take as long as 12 years for some to get a property.
On May 12, Megan was given the keys to a flat in Pendlebury Towers on the Lancashire Hill estate. But she feels the property is not suitable to stay in, claiming she didn't feel safe.
"I broke down when I first saw it, I just went quiet, it was very overwhelming," she said.
The 40-year-old had a stroke and brain haemorrhage in 2013 which left her with weakness on her right side and difficulties with balance.
In April, Stockport Homes said a medical assessment meant the athlete needed a level access flat or bungalow, with a level access shower.
But Megan said a house would be more suitable, and accused the social housing provider of ignoring what she wanted.
"Stockport Homes are not listening to me, I'm being told what my choice is," she added.
"I'm just disgusted and I feel very helpless, my OCD has completely spiralled."
After further talks with Stockport Homes, Megan has submitted new evidence about her medical needs, which she hopes will allow her to bid for and secure a house with a stairlift.
She welcomed the progress, but asked why it took her to reach the point of "mental breakdown and pulling [her] hair out" to get to this point.
A Stockport Homes spokesperson said its housing decisions are "never taken lightly", and are based on information from medical and occupational therapist assessments.
This is often with an independent doctor reviewing this information, it said, to make sure their needs are fully understood.
Much of what social housing providers are able to do also has to follow a national legal framework.
Stockport Homes added: "Sadly, this challenge isn't unique to Stockport, and unfortunately there simply isn't the accommodation available in the numbers needed to meet the demand.
"Across the country, millions of people are waiting for social housing while the number of suitable homes continues to fall – particularly those that meet more complex needs.
"In England, only 7 per cent of homes meet basic accessibility criteria, and it's even more difficult to find homes that also accommodate pets or outdoor space.
"Even with the pressures we're facing, we're doing everything we can to help – reviewing all social properties that become available for letting, offering ongoing advice and support, and doing our best to increase the supply of genuinely affordable, accessible homes in Stockport."
~
Free from clickbait, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.
To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.
Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or X
Share:
