A FAMILY living in a relative’s conservatory have criticised the “patronising” attitude of Maldon District Council’s housing team.

Richard Brown, 31, with his partner Inga and children Isabella, 4, and Oliver, 1, are living out of his mother’s conservatory in Wood Road, Heybridge, which is being renovated.

Richard and his family had been living in Grantham for several years until June last year, when Richard lost his job of 12 years working as a supervisor for a rubbish collection company, due to complications with a community order he was carrying out for a telecommunications offence.

After a few months of fruitless job searching in the area, Richard’s family were forced to move out of their home in the autumn to Heybridge where their family live.

Since moving, Richard has secured a job as a loader for Chelmsford City Council, but despite asking the housing team at Maldon District Council to help, he claims they were met with hostility.

He said: “The attitude that was presented by the staff at the council was horrible. There was a very patronising tone and no empathy.

“Some quite nasty things were said, including ‘I should put my kids into care’ and that ‘we would never allow our lives to get this bad’.

“The offence I was carrying out my community order for was a silly mistake, I sent some messages I shouldn’t have, and I accept that. Right now, I’m trying to do the best job I can to give my children a good life.

“There’s no point getting distraught, you just have to try to suck it up and get on with things.

“To have the people at the council who are meant to offer help to people like us treat us with such contempt feels like a slap in the face.”

The conservatory which the family are staying in is under renovation and leaking, meaning the children’s health has suffered. Richard’s daughter Isabella hasn’t been to school for six weeks due to uncertainty as to where they’ll end up.

Richard added: “The worst part of all this was having to take Isabella out of school, she was top in her class and was doing so well. We don’t want to put her in one school now and then have to take her out if we need to move somewhere further away.

“I know full well how stretched the councils are and the demand is high. We’re certainly not asking to be put up in a council house for the long-term or anything like that.

“We just need some emergency shelter so we can settle and get on our feet.

“If the council can’t even treat people in our situation with respect, or offer any sort of assistance, they’re not doing their job.”

Paul Dodson, Director for Planning and Regulatory services at the council, said: “The council is unable to provide comment on individual cases. We are sorry to hear of the concerns facing Mr Brown and his family.

“Our Housing Options Team always work to prevent homelessness where possible, in line with current legislation.”