Austin was contacted by a young mother, Stephanie Lewnes, who had recently been offered a property on Hillside Road that can only be described as disgraceful.

Austin immediately visited the house to see first hand the conditions that Dudley Council deem fit for local families and was utterly appalled by what he saw.

The property at 102 Hillside has every window boarded up, piles of rubble and fly tipping in the front garden as well as no security at the back garden which has lead to yobs setting fire to the grass and breaking bottles to the rear of the house.  There is also live wires hanging out of the building which could be very dangerous not only to young children but any no professional who tried to clean up the back of the house.

Ian Austin MP said:

“I am outraged at the state of the houses Dudley Council deem fit for young families in our area.  Anyone who moved into this house would have to spend time and money hiring a skip, clearing the land and making the property secure.”

“I cannot believe that Dudley Council are happy for people to live in these conditions and have let this property get to this state of disrepair.  I am also utterly appalled that the Council have left this property to fall apart and that neighbouring homes have had to suffer the anti social behaviour and litter it has caused.”

Stephanie Lewnes said:

“I could not believe the state of this property and that the Council actually gave me the keys to this house.  I have two young children and it is unthinkable that I would let them stay in a house that is in such bad disrepair.”

Local Councillor Alan Finch said:

“This property is a disgrace!  I will work had alongside Ian Austin and local residents such as Stephanie to make sure we find houses like this, get them fixed up, cleaned and occupied.  It is through tackling problems like this that we will clean up our area and make sure that it stays that way.”