Residents outraged by 'dehumanising' conditions at closed down old people's home in Avenue Road, Erith

Homeleigh Care Home in Avenue Road was relaunched by the council as emergency accommodation for homeless families in September last year, but two residents have had enough.

Charlotte Sanderson, 39, a full-time mum who stays at Homeleigh with her two sons, aged 15 and five, is a victim of domestic violence.

The old Homeleigh Care Home in Avenue Road​

She is fed up with a lack of decent washing facilities and no cookers and claims her youngest son Charlie is now suffering with constipation as a result.

She said: “My five-year-old is suffering because we can’t cook properly - every time he goes for a poo it hurts.

“We’re trying our hardest but it’s affecting us.

“It’s the way the situation has worked out and we are being punished for it.

“I know it takes time for things to get sorted but a cooker is necessary, even if it was little cooker that’s adequate for us to cook a meal for our kids.

“We’re all feeling down. We’re all going through our own little demons and we are worrying how to feed our kids.”

Carly Nelson, formerly of Maiden Lane, Crayford, was offered a room at the old care home after claims she had been a victim of domestic violence.

The 32-year-old shared a room with her five-year-old son Raiden and 19-month-old daughter called Kiara.

One of the rooms at Homeleigh Care Home pictured

The single mum, who works full time for the Met police's admin team, is outraged by the poor living conditions at the home, which she claims cost her more than £211-a-week.

She said: “The treatment and the way they dealt with the whole situation is bad.

“It’s quite harrowing to think about. I do not know why the council seems to make things so horrendous.

“You can’t let people live like this.

“All the cupboards are old and stained, all the bathrooms are very old.

“I think it’s disgusting they can expect anyone to live there - it’s dehumanising.”

She added: “For all that I have been through up to this I do not understand the lack of empathy and understanding.

“They have classed me as homeless but not as a victim of domestic violence - they have not made it important.

“The thermostat is broken and the heating is on throughout the whole night - my son has asthma.

“It’s driving me insane.”

Ms Nelson was moved to a flat in Eltham after News Shopper contacted Bexley Council.

Bexley Council offices

A spokeswoman for the council said: “Homeleigh is designed for short stays of a maximum of six weeks before residents are moved to self-contained accommodation.

"We understand that Ms Nelson has already been offered alternative accommodation.

“Ms Sanderson has not approached us with any concerns and there have been no official complaints from other residents.

“Extensive works have been carried to ensure that the building is compliant in relation to fire, amenities, safety and other standards and the council is satisfied with the property and the facilities provided.

“Residents all have the use of microwaves and fridges, however cookers will not be provided as the property is categorised as shared accommodation.

“There is a large communal dining area where hot meals can be purchased by residents should they wish to do so.”

Homeleigh was previously used as a residential nursing home, but was deemed to be unsuitable after legal requirements for the elderly and people with dementia changed.