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21
May
Eviction mum: 'We’re overwhelmed by Ripon's kindness and compassion'
The mother of a Ripon family threatened with eviction has said they have been overwhelmed by support from people in the city.
Linsey Reeves and her husband, who have four children, were served with a ‘no-fault’ eviction notice two days before the government banned the practice. You can read more here.
They have until the end of next month to find a new family home or become homeless and potentially live in hotels.
The family were evicted by Holy Trinity Properties Trust, a charity that raises money for Holy Trinity Church by letting four flats on Kirkby Road.
Although the trust is governed separately from the church, the fact that an organisation that exists to help the church has evicted a family has shocked many people in the city.
Former mayor John Richmond told last night’s (May 20) Ripon Parish Meeting that it reflected badly on everyone in the city.
Ms Reeves told the Stray Ferret:
It’s been a difficult few weeks with being served the Section 21, but we are incredibly moved by the outpouring of support we’ve received.
We’ve been genuinely overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion shown to our family since the story became public. What’s been an incredibly distressing and isolating experience has suddenly made us feel far less alone.
This is not other people’s battle to fight — everyone has their own issues — but to have so many people want to give their time and effort to support us means a lot.
Ms Reeves added:
We’re especially grateful to members of the local community including Pete Wilkinson, our lollipop man, local representatives including Mayor Andrew Williams and Councillor Barbara Brodigan, and members of the Christian community. We’re also grateful for the public support shown by John Richmond.
Many local people have offered help with finding somewhere to rent, moving and storage. At a time when we’ve felt extremely vulnerable and uncertain about the future, the response has reminded us how much goodwill still exists in our community and we truly cannot thank people enough.
Uncertain future
Despite Riponians rallying round, the family still face an uncertain future.
Ms Reeves said they have been assessed by a North Yorkshire Council housing officer, who told them the local authority’s seven-bed homelessness unit on Blossomgate is full.
They have also been told that four-bedroom social houses are extremely rare.
She said:
“They had two four-beds in Boroughbridge last year and had 100 applicants for each. It’s a dire situation.”
Ripon-born Ms Reeves said the couple had always paid their rent on time and maintained their current flat on Kirkby Road and they desperately wanted to stay in the area, mainly because their three school-aged children attended nearby schools..
“Uprooting a family of six, including an autistic child, isn’t a decision you take lightly,” she said.
The trustees of Holy Trinity Properties Trust are due to discuss the situation tonight.
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