When 59-year-old Miranda’s children moved out of her council property, she was required to pay the £18-per-week ‘bedroom tax’. With her health deteriorating and bills getting more expensive, she was desperate to downsize.  

Miranda reached out to her local councillor who, through the Cardiff Council Gateway, was introduced to Cath, Senior Community Link Worker at United Welsh. She helped Miranda submit an application to the local authority to transfer to a smaller property. They provided evidence from GP and mental health services about the need for outdoor space for her mental health and ground floor due to her mobility issues. While she waited for the outcome, Miranda was also able to receive discretionary housing benefit, meaning she no longer had to pay the ‘bedroom tax’. 

Cath then wanted to address Miranda’s health issues, as she had anxiety over her seizures and falls – worrying that she would not be found for some time in the event of either happening.  Cath arranged the fitting of a community alarm system linked to her daughter, and a key safe to ensure access in an emergency. This has given her peace of mind and reduced her anxiety considerably. In addition to this, they successfully applied for a Severe Disability Premium which gives Miranda extra income to support her health and other support needs. 

Today, Miranda lives in a one-bedroom bungalow, and Miranda helped in every step to ensure she would settle in okay, including putting in an application to the Discretionary Assistance Fund for an accessible fridge freezer as the new kitchen would not accommodate her old one.   

This support will not have been possible had it not been for the Housing Matters Wales campaign. As a result of this, United Welsh – with the Salvation Army - launched the ‘Cardiff Floating Support Service’ which offers families vital support through offering tailored financial and health support, preventing them from becoming homeless. 

Miranda says: “Cath has been a godsend I don’t know what I would have done without her. I had been trying to move for some time and it was affecting my mental health. I am now in a place where I feel safe and I can afford it and I think I will be able to stay here for the rest of my days.” 

Please note, Miranda’s name is kept anonymous.