A pregnant mum from Plumstead who says she has breathing problems and has had to take her daughter to hospital due to the mould in her home is now worried for the health of her unborn baby.

Lucy Park, 24, began having issues with black mould in her sixth floor flat in Villas Road when she first moved in with her now three-year-old daughter in December 2019.

However, since finding out she was expecting her second child, she fears that the mould could have serious risks for her unborn child’s health.

Lucy said she immediately notified Greenwich Council when she noticed the mould.

She claims the council visited her flat to assess the situation, but her living conditions were not improved.

A spokesperson for Greenwich Council said Lucy did not allow the council into her home so the situation hasn't been assessed and any necessary works haven't been carried out.

They added that Lucy "has now said the council will be able to have access next week" and so a mould wash is being arranged "urgently".

Since living in her current property, Lucy and her daughter have both experienced health issues that she claims “medical professionals have advised her is a result of the mould”.

Lucy told the News Shopper: “I’m now on an asthma pump because the mould has caused me to have bad breathing problems.

“I’m also now considered a candidate for free flu vaccines which I wasn’t before.

“At one point I had to take my daughter to hospital because she’d come up in a serious rash and they confirmed it was due to the mould.

“I noticed the mould as soon as I moved.

“It was mould was probably due to a flood in 2012 that I was never informed of before moving into the property, but instead I found out through neighbours two weeks into me moving there.”

Since discovering the mould, Lucy has been in contact with the allocation team at Greenwich Council in a bid to move her and her child, but says she has had little success.

Lucy added: “I have had Greenwich Council to see my flat multiple times to do mould washes which hasn't fixed the problem. 

"They came and wiped the mould over, but they did absolutely nothing to cure it. 

“It’s become worse lately, we try not to use the heating as much but now and then I’ll have to put it on to warm the flat up so my daughter doesn’t get cold.

“I’m on the lowest band and I’ve been trying to get moved since the beginning of 2021.

“But the council have said that black mould is not a priority to be moved." 

A spokesperson for Greenwich Council said it is aware that Lucy wishes to be re-housed, but due to property shortages it is only able to let around 1,000 social homes a year.

This means that there is a long wait, even for 5,500 residents with a priority need on the housing waiting list.

Lucy says the mould has also affected her personal property and has caused her to throw away many valued personal belongings.

She explained: “I’ve had to get rid of so much stuff, including furniture in my daughter’s room, decorating tools, baby clothes from when my daughter was a baby, my daughters toy box and her toys.

“The mould is everywhere in the flat now, including my child’s bedroom.

“It’s upsetting because I’ve had to leave my daughter’s room very bare to avoid more mould and it’s not fair because it should be a space for my child to play.

“I’m dreading her new presents at Christmas, because I’m worried they’ll get covered in mould again.” Now, the young mum is worried about the health of her unborn child and the impact her current living situation may have on it.

Lucy added: “I’ve looked it up online and having this mould can cause serious health problems for my unborn child before it’s born.

“That’s my biggest fear - that the mould could harm my unborn baby.”

A Greenwich Council spokesperson said: "The tenant has not allowed us into their home yet, so we have not been able to assess the situation with regard to mould and carry out any necessary works.

"After going to the press, the tenant has now said we will be able to have access next week and we are arranging a mould wash urgently.

"Damp and mould can be prevented by opening windows and keeping the heating on a low constant setting.

"This is because it is caused by moisture, created by doing everyday things like washing, boiling the kettle and drying clothes indoors, that then touches cold surfaces like walls and windows.

"We are aware that this tenant wishes to be re-housed, however due to the shortage of properties, we are only able to let around 1,000 social homes a year which means that there is a long wait, even for those 5,500 residents with a priority need on the housing waiting list.

"We understand that this is an extremely difficult time for many residents who may be avoiding heating their homes and trying to make them airtight to keep the heat in.

"However, this will only make damp and mould worse.

"As part of our Greenwich Supports campaign to help residents with cost of living, we have pledged £3million to support the most vulnerable people in our borough – including £50,000 to create Warm Spaces and £150,000 for Stay Warm, Stay Safe – extra services for residents who may be at risk during the cold weather. 

"Help is available through Greenwich Supports for our residents: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/greenwich-supports."

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