A family-of-three fear they will be homeless for Christmas because of an impending eviction that they describe as "like being on death row and you are just waiting to be executed."
Charmaine and Ian Pope, along with their 10-year-old daughter, moved from a caravan site to Surrey last year following a "traumatic event" involving youngster.
The family approached Runnymede Borough Council (RBC) for assistance in June 2020 after the incident and an offer of temporary accommodation was made. They moved into a home in New Haw, a village near Addlestone, a month later.
They were informed that they would be offered permanent accommodation, once. The family were then given the option to look at a first floor, two-bedroom flat in Addlestone in August this year.
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Mrs Pope said that she "did not understand how the process works" and turned down the property because it was "in a state" and "unsuitable" due to their health conditions and mobility issues.
"We thought it was just a viewing and we would have some time to think about it," Mrs Pope told Surrey Live.
"When we got into the property, we did not get the chance to look around on our own and we were asked if we wanted to accept. I ended up having a panic attack and I was sick in the bathroom and bringing up blood.
"We declined the offer; it was a state. We have trouble getting up the stairs and Ian has a leg brace. There was a lift, but I can't get in that as I am claustrophobic. It was not suitable for us."
The RBC said in a statement that they fulfilled their obligations. A spokesperson added: "Our responsibility is to make an offer of a home which is assessed as suitable for their needs. We did this and it was turned down.
"A notice to quit the temporary accommodation we provided will be issued to the family shortly."
Now, the family, who don't work and rely on food banks, face being turfed out.
Mrs Pope said: "I am scared; I do not eat, I do not sleep. It's running me down and it has made my depression and my anxiety worse. My husband has lost weight where he has not eaten or slept.
"It's like being on death row and you are just waiting to be executed - that's how it [the impending eviction] feels."
Mrs Pope explained that she has contacted Citizens Advice and tried to seek legal aid, but without success so far. She was hoping the council would reconsider its decision and offer her family another property.
She added: "To be told that there is nothing for us, that it's over, it's just a knife to the heart. They [the council] do not realise the impact it's having on us. It's an unbelievable nightmare."
The RBC statement continued: "We have advised them that the best option going forward would be to find a privately rented home through a local estate agent or lettings company."
