Support workers claim they are forced to live in rat-infested 'smelly' public housing.
22-year-old Lucy Cole says fearsome rodents have left urine and poop trails in her kitchen, making it impossible to cook and prepare properly.
Currently, her house in Meir, Staffordshire continues to be infested with rats, and she fears she will contract a serious illness.
And despite several complaints to her housing provider, things got progressively worse.
Lucy claims that she may have found droppings in the kitchen cupboard and can sometimes hear the creatures rushing down the drainpipe at night.
} But even though exterminators are already welcomed around the house, the problem hasn't been alleviated yet.
She told Stoke-on-Trent Live
``I can't use the kitchen because it is unsanitary and disgusting. The state of my apartment is paranoid at every little noise.”
Lucy said council officials first visited the property in March and made progress toward rodent eradication. said he believed.
But they soon returned a few months later as Lucy forced her to fend for herself.
She explained:
"She was using her own spoon. I don't know why she was holding the spoon. The problem was solved and the outer hole was filled.
”The kitchen is a little damaged. Then suddenly they came back.
"It was June when I realized I was coming back eating nuts from the cupboard.
"I have seen seven rats. I think it's all the same nest."
"It was funny at first, but now it's no longer a joke. It's been going on too long."
42} Lucy Cole
Lucy said that the Council eventually returned home to confront the rats, but was unable to take immediate action.
"They said the council property manager surveyor needed to come out," she said.
"It was supposed to be a big job and they were going to do it. After about a week they didn't show up and I started complaining."
She added:
"It was funny at first, but now it's no joke. It's been going on for far too long."
"IMPACTING MY HEALTH." I am asking the council to fix the problem once and for all and replace the crumbling 'dirty' kitchen.
She said: "You asked for a new kitchen. I cannot use it and my second bedroom is being used as a pantry.
"I pay my rent in full and I get no help. I work to give back to my community but the council I support is not giving back to me."
"I sent a picture of my kitchen and mentioned how it affected my health. It's my first flat.
"I have not known such things. I have not lived here long, but when I have lived elsewhere, I have not known such things.
Rep. Carl Edwards, Minister for Housing and Environment, confirmed that the pest control team was aware of the problem.
In a statement, he said:
"We are still working on resolving the issue and this week a colleague from Unitas visited our facility to move kitchen units and find access points via our internal network. Attempt to find. Drain."
