'My kids hate living here. I've been in tears on the phone for hours... I'm having to put my life on hold'

A Salford mum who has lived in temporary housing for nearly two years says she and her children can't cope any longer. Katie Collins was put in temporary accommodation in October 2022 after her family was evicted from a private rental property under a section 21 'no fault eviction'.

The 36-year-old lives with her three children - aged 15, 12 and five - in a three-bedroom house on Swinton Hall Road. She says the property is too small.

Katie says they're living out of bags and suitcases. The prospect of having to move at short notice has meant they've not been able to settle.

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Daughter Abi, five, has complex medical needs and needs help getting around - and has transport assistance from the council to and from school. Katie has a problem with her hip and is awaiting an operation.

The exhausted mother is having to carry her daughter up and down the stairs, forcing her to 'bum shuffle' with her on her lap. She says it's a 'degrading' daily routine.

Katie says she's had to keep putting off her hip operation as she would be left bed bound and unable to move home at short notice if a suitable property did become available.

The family wants a bigger home with a downstairs bedroom in the Swinton area which is near loved ones, but because of their medical needs, Katie says the council won't allow them to bid for properties.

They've been assessed as needing a bungalow with four bedrooms - a type of property which is in short supply. The situation has left Katie feeling 'let down' by Salford council.

Katie said: "It's affecting my life so much, it's really difficult hearing the kids say they hate living here, it's so stressful to