The mum of four daughters has described how she and her husband are skipping meals and other financial woes after being forced out of their Homes for Reading property.
Rowan Perry-Lee, with her husband Raven and their four daughters, has told her story about how having to move out has affected them, with the parents “routinely” skipping meals in an effort to save money.
They were previously living in Caversham Park Village as tenants of Homes for Reading, a rental company owned by Reading Borough Council.
But the company had to close in July 2024 due to mounting debts, with the council choosing to absorb all 101 of the Homes for Reading properties into its housing stock.
Homes for Reading to close in defeat for protesting tenants
All existing tenants either had to leave at the end of their tenancies or face eviction, with the council issuing 53 section 21 eviction notices, of which 33 tenants have moved voluntarily into suitable alternative accommodation.
There are 18 notices which have not been complied with, and two notices that have not expired yet.
Council has sent eviction notices to 53 families in Homes for Reading properties
The Perry-Lee family are one of those who have moved into a new rental home in West Reading.
The serious consequences of the closure of the company on the lives has been illuminated by the family, made up of husband and wife Rowan and Raven, and their four daughters, Talia, Aurora, Lorelei and Solstice.
Mrs Perry-Lee said: “Our current situation is not the result of poor budgeting or a lack of hard work; it is the direct consequence of the council’s widely documented financial mismanagement.
“While the council’s fiscal failures have made headlines, the human cost is being felt behind our front door.
“We were forced from our original home due to these systemic errors, and the 'solution' provided has been a financial death sentence. We've moved to a property where the rent is £1,000 higher than our previous home—while simultaneously saddling us with a £7,000 loan—the council has effectively legislated us into poverty.
“This has had a devastating impact on our lives.
“My husband and I are now routinely skipping meals to ensure our children can eat.
“As a teacher and a teaching assistant, we are expected to educate and support children daily while suffering the physical effects of malnutrition.
“The stress of choosing between bus fares for our children and a grocery shop is a constant, crushing weight.
“Our mental health has deteriorated as we fight a system that broke our lives and now refuses to provide the transport support they initially promised.
“We are professionals working in the public sector, yet we can no longer meet our basic needs because of the council’s inability to manage its own finances.
“We are being punished for their mistakes, and our children are paying the price.”
While the council has acknowledged the impact the closure of the company has had, it has been justified due to it becoming financially unviable, with outstanding loans of £25.460 million.
The spokesperson said: “The council fully acknowledges the impact the closure of Homes for Reading has had on families and individuals, and is committed to helping all tenants find suitable alternative homes.
“We supported the family to seek accommodation within our Rent Guarantee Scheme and local housing allowance levels to ensure affordability.
“The property they secured did not meet the scheme criteria and was supported by the council through payment of initial costs only (deposit and first month's rent).
“ Affordability concerns were discussed and lower‑rent options suggested; however, the family proceeded with a higher‑rent, four‑bedroom property to meet their changed needs, which unfortunately appears to have impacted affordability.
“The council’s offer to help this family find an affordable property remains, and we are open to discussing options with them.
“Homes for Reading was set up in 2016 in good faith and as a direct response to the national housing crisis. At the time, councils were prevented by government from borrowing money to build council homes, known as the ‘borrowing cap’.
“The purpose of the company was to improve private rented sector options for residents in Reading.
“Changes to local authority lending rules, the housing market and interest rates on borrowing, however, all combined to detrimentally impact the company’s viability.
“The difficult decision to close in July 2024 was taken as a last resort and only after careful consideration of the company’s ability to repay the loans provided by the council, its impact on the council’s wider finances and an independent analysis of all the options.
“Ultimately, the council had to safeguard the wider provision of services to all residents who depend on the council and close the company.”
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