Homeless, scared and living on a makeshift bed while dealing with cancer
BBCA homeless woman with lung cancer is sleeping on a makeshift bed in her friend's living room because she says the accommodation offered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is unsuitable for her needs.
Fatima, who is from Sudan, found out she had lung cancer in January and had surgery in March to remove a tumour and is due to start a long course of chemotherapy treatment.
She is a victim of human trafficking and has been given the right to stay in Northern Ireland. However she has not found a permanent home and has been mainly staying in temporary accommodation like B&Bs.
The NIHE said it is "actively working to find other solutions" but there are "limited" options for Fatima.
"I told the housing (NIHE) what happened to me, I gave them every report from the GP and doctor about that and tell them I need help to find a small house or single let for me," said Fatima.
She said her recovery so far has been "not good".
"I still have a problem in my wound... I take a lot of medicine for that, I feel so bad and tired."
In a letter to the NIHE, Fatima's doctor advised against placing her in shared accommodation, due to her past traumas and also complications from her treatment, including a lowered immune system.
However the NIHE offered Fatima a room with an ensuite in a hostel, which she declined, as it has limited visitation.
What has the Housing Executive said?
Fatima said she relies on friends to bring her medication, painkillers and food but they would not be allowed to visit her in this hostel.
"Only staff from hostel can go in my room, not anyone else can go in my room and see me or visit me," said Fatima.
"That is so bad, I can't do that because it's very difficult for me. I need my friends, I need help. Because of that I tell the housing (NIHE) 'I can't go to this hostel, can you see for me another option?' They say no, that's my only option."
An NIHE spokesperson said they sympathise with Fatima and the "challenging circumstances" she faces.
"We are very aware of the applicant's circumstances and have made an offer of temporary accommodation in a centre that provides services for individuals navigating intricate challenges.
"We believe that this accommodation is of the highest standard and provides support and access to other services."
The spokesperson added that the NIHE is open to further discussions on the offer and are "actively working to find other solutions" but there are "limited accommodation options" suitable for Fatima's needs and in the areas of her choice.
Fatima has been told by her doctor to try not to stress while recovering from surgery.
"That is impossible, I have a lot of stress, I am very scared."
What is the waiting list for temporary accommodation in Northern Ireland?
Fatima is one of about 4,700 households seeking temporary accommodation every month - the NIHE is facing unprecedented demand for such services.
In March, an NI Audit Office report found the NIHE spent almost £39m in 2023-24 on temporary accommodation.
In an attempt to bring down those costs, the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons gave the NIHE the go ahead to buy 600 new homes over the next three years to be used as temporary accommodation.
Community Action Tenants Union (CATU), which is supporting Fatima's case, said they welcomed any move towards more availability of homes, but said it would be better used as permanent accommodation.
"Fatima is being forced to stay on a bed in a living room, with no easy access to a toilet," said CATU member Kara Macdonald.
"The toilet is up a set of stairs and she has to crawl up on her hands and knees. It's completely undignified and it's making life much more difficult for her at a time when she needs to rest and recover from her surgery and to deal with her cancer."