Woman Suffers Heart Attack After Financial Strain Leads to Temporary Accommodation
Heartbreaking story of a mother’s struggle with mortgage debt and temporary accommodation
Stephani Jehu, a 47-year-old mother from Caerphilly, Wales, recently signed a contract to move into temporary accommodation with her 16-year-old son. However, just three days after the move, she was admitted to the hospital due to a heart attack brought on by chronic stress.
Jehu had been struggling to afford the mortgage on her three-bedroom home for years, accumulating £12,000 in credit card debt. Her ex-husband, who had been providing £750 monthly child maintenance, passed away the previous year, adding to her financial strain.
The high-interest mortgage rate of nearly 10 per cent became too much for Jehu’s part-time wage of £16,000 per year in accounting. Despite receiving some financial help from her aunt, she was forced to sell her home of 16 years and move into temporary accommodation in a hotel with no kitchen and limited amenities.
As a “mortgage prisoner,” Jehu was unable to secure a lower interest rate on her mortgage, leading to increasing monthly payments that she could not afford. The financial burden took a toll on her mental health, affecting her ability to work and provide for her son.
The situation worsened during the pandemic, forcing Jehu to rely on credit cards and discounted food to make ends meet. Her son’s GCSE exams were a source of additional stress, and the uncertainty of their housing situation continues to weigh heavily on her.
Despite reaching out to the local council for assistance, Jehu has received limited support and is unsure of when they will be placed in more suitable housing. Her family has been separated due to financial constraints, with her eldest son living in New Zealand.
Jehu’s story sheds light on the struggles faced by many individuals trapped in high-interest mortgages and temporary accommodation, highlighting the urgent need for support and solutions to prevent further financial hardship and emotional distress.
