A MONMOUTH family feel they have been ‘completely let down’ following an offer of temporary accommodation by the county council’s Housing Options team.

They were privately renting in Monmouth until the house was sold and became temporarily homeless and turned to Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) for help.They were offered a place in Abergavenny and allegedly told that if they did not accept this house, no further help would be forthcoming.That was just the beginning of their woes as the place they were offered turned out to be damp and mouldy and, in their opinion, unfit for the health of their three children.“Myself and my family are constantly ill” Becky told the Beacon. “My three year old son is currently on steroids, antibiotics and inhalers, I had to leave my full time job and look for part time around school hours as I had no help with childcare like I did before. ‘‘The whole situation caused mental health issues for me and my husband Ben - my husband suffering the most. ‘‘We have been bidding on Monmouthshire Homesearch to get a house since November 2017. But we never came close. Even when we were homeless we were still overlooked and people who were already housed were given three bedroom houses before us.” After complaining about the condition of the house, MCC sent out an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) on February 5.On arrival he told Becky he had been to this property ‘quite a few times in the last few years’ and each time had put the problems down to condensation. He looked around the property and told the Johnson family once again it is condensation ‘in his opinion’.“After he left I felt completely let down and hopeless,” she said.She was contacted by the previous tenant who said she had all of the exact same problems with the property and nothing was ever done about it. “She also told me the tenants before her had the issues also which is why she didn’t waste any money decorating”.Demanding to see the written EHO report, officer Huw Owen then requested a formal visit and returned with MCC’s housing officer Chris Bull and the landlord.After looking around a second time, Mr Owen confirmed it was down to condensation and suggested the landlord does some work such as new vents. The family have been in contact with Monmouthshire Homesearch. “We were told to carry on bidding as our housing is temporary. Although our house is full of black mould and damp, Homesearch has not upped our banding or tried to help us any further. We need to be back in Monmouth to be where our family and support network are, especially because of my husband’s mental health,” said Becky.MP David Davies has taken up their case with Michelle Morgan, Director of Housing and Communities with Monmouthshire Housing Association.The MP said: “I fully sympathise with Mr and Mrs Johnson’s circumstances and immediately contacted Monmouthshire Housing Association after being made aware of their case. I have also been in touch with senior officers at Monmouthshire Homesearch who assure me that the matter is being dealt with.”