Grandmother wants eviction notice lifted

Christine Hibbert wants to stay at her home in Brackla

A south Wales grandmother has pleaded with a housing association to reconsider evicting her from her home on Monday.

Christine Hibbert, 55, who suffers from chronic asthma, was served with a notice to quit her house in Brackla, Bridgend before Christmas.

We took this decision because two bedroom houses are in short supply in Brackla

Philip Champness, Glamorgan and Gwent Housing Association

She had joint tenancy on the property in Glendower Close but when her elderly mother left the house, Mrs Hibbert was told she also had to leave.

But Glamorgan and Gwent Housing Association said they could not issue Mrs Hibbert with sole tenancy of the property because of a shortage of two-bedroom homes in the area.

Mrs Hibbert said: "This is my home and has been for the last 15-months.

"If they force me to leave I will have nowhere to go.

"I am very happy here and if I have to leave I just don't think my life will be worth living.

"I suffer from very bad asthma and since I had the eviction notice my health has just deteriorated and I think I am too ill to move house.

All I want is to be able to keep my home - I don't want to move anywhere else

Christine Hibbert, tenant

"I am so upset and worried about what is going to happen.

"All I want is to be able to keep my home - I don't want to move anywhere else," she said.

Mrs Hibbert said she had sought legal advice on the matter.

Glamorgan and Gwent Housing Association defended issuing Mrs Hibbert with an eviction notice.

Philip Champness, the chief executive of the association, said: "Christine Hibbert occupied the house on a joint tenancy with her mother. Her mother left and terminated the tenancy.

"In these circumstances we can terminate the tenancy for the person who is remaining in the house.

"We took this decision because two bedroom houses are in short supply in Brackla and with only one person living there we cannot justify using the house in this way.

"We therefore legally served her a notice to quit and this has been upheld by our lawyers.

"If Mrs Hibbert wants, we would consider providing her with a one-bedroom flat," he added.