A MUM of two young children says she has been forced to move into a tent in her mother’s front garden after having to quit her rented home.

Kathryn Buffin claims the Forest Council has failed to provide suitable housing for the family, and although they have been offered a third-storey private let furnished flat later this month, it’s unsuitable for her health problems and her two youngsters, Charlie and Gracie, aged four and two.

The children have been living with separate grandparents for the last few weeks, but Kathryn finally had to quit their Whitecroft home for the last two and a half years yesterday (Tuesday, July 31), as the landlord wanted it back owing to ill health.

She adds that they will lose any chance of being offered anything suitable in the future by the council if they accept the Coleford flat, as they will slip to the bottom rung of the housing list.

The 32-year-old says she has been diagnosed with Aspergers, dyspraxia and traits of cerebral palsy, and her mother and father, Cynthia and Eric Buffin, who are both 72, have had to help finance her.

And she claims the tent in her parents’ Broadwell garden is the “last resort” though she may be forced into taking the “unsuitable” flat to keep her young family together.

She said: “I’m not looking forward to it, but there’s not enough room in my mum’s house, and there’s no alternative.

“It’s not great, it’s a last resort, either this or a bus stop.

“The council has now said they’ll send someone out to see me, but there’s no guarantee they’ll do anything.

“I just want to be in a suitable home with my kids, but I’ve just hit a brick wall with the council.

Her mother Cynthia said: “It’s an act of desperation. We’ve put off the move until this week for six months thanks to the generosity of her old landlord, but we’ve had no help from the council as regards obtaining a new home, although I’ve supplied full details about Kathryn’s medical situation and family needs.

“Her four-year-old Charley also has health issues, and they need a proper permanent family home.

“She could move into the flat, but Kathryn really finds it hard dealing with lots of people around, and they will be back to the bottom of the housing list, with no prospect of a suitable place for years.

“Every home that comes up we bid for, but Kathryn never gets close.

“The flat is fully furnished, but that means her own furniture will have to go into storage or be sold, and myself and my husband will have to top up her payments.

“The situation has gone right up against the wire before the council has done anything, and it says if she accepts this flat, she’ll be back to the bottom of the housing list, from silver to bronze status.

“We’ve been bidding all over, down to Drybrook and such places, but nothing. I worked up until this year to help Kathryn and am effectively a part-time carer for her and the children.

“It’s a nightmare. Charlie’s been staying in the house with me for several weeks owing to a flea infestation at the former home and we’re all just trying to make the best of a bad job for the two little kids.”

The Forest Council was approached for comment.