A single mum-of-four living in NR3 is at her wit's end after being thwarted in an attempt to get a new council home. 

Kim Herbert has been trying to leave her home near Anglia Square for more than three years due to its unsuitability for her family.  

Three of Kim’s children are disabled and two of them need to be taken to the toilet during the night due to issues with their vision, which means carrying each of them down the stairs.  

Norwich Evening News: Kim loves being a mum, but would like a house that made life easier for her disabled children Kim loves being a mum, but would like a house that made life easier for her disabled children (Image: Kim Herbert)

But after six years of doing this Kim has developed physical problems.

She said: “My back is in pain all the time. They weigh two stone each and that doesn't include the time I spend pushing the pushchair during the day either.” 

On top of this, she is registered as disabled due to having epilepsy and lives in fear that she will have a seizure while carrying them - although this hasn't yet happened.

So Kim was thrilled to see that she was able to apply for a home in Marlpit Lane in NR5 that has a stair lift which would have been a huge help to her. 

She said: “I currently have a downstairs toilet so was keen to find somewhere with a stair lift, or both upstairs and downstairs toilets to make the evening routine easier for us all. 

Norwich Evening News: Her oldest children's disabilities mean they need to be woken up and carried to the toilet during the night, as problems with their vision mean they cannot do the stairs safely on their ownHer oldest children's disabilities mean they need to be woken up and carried to the toilet during the night, as problems with their vision mean they cannot do the stairs safely on their own (Image: Kim Herbert)

“I was so happy when we finished first, but I was later told that other people were put above me because they were apparently more suitable for the home, but the council knows I am a disabled mum living with four children, three of them being disabled. 

“I don’t have much support and that would have made a huge difference.” 

A spokesman for Norwich City Council said: “There is a lack of affordable housing in Norwich so we have to carefully prioritise the waiting list for council homes.

"The council’s Home Options policy aims to maximise use of adapted properties, allocating properties to the applicant who is in greatest need of those specific accessibility adaptations. 

“Anyone whose medical needs or disability is significantly affected by their accommodation should contact the Home Options team on 0344 980 3333 to discuss whether a medical assessment would be appropriate.” 

But Ms Herbert insists the council is aware of her medical issues already.  

Norwich Evening News: Kim believes the city council does know about her medical concerns Kim believes the city council does know about her medical concerns (Image: Kim Herbert)