Pregnant Moray mum fears being left homeless
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A pregnant mum with health issues is facing the imminent prospect of becoming homeless due to the housing shortage in Moray.
Alannah Simpson – through no fault of either herself or her landlords – will have to move out of her privately rented home on April 14.
That date is just a fortnight before May 1, when she's scheduled to have a caesarian section to deliver her second baby.
Having drawn a blank so far with estate agents and Moray Council, the 29-year-old is urgently hoping the community can help.
Alannah is looking to rent a place in either Dufftown, Aberlour or Elgin.
As well as for her, it's for partner Jaimie Laughton, their two-year-old son Odin, and dog Biggie, who despite his forbidding name is only quite small.
Alannah said: "We want somewhere safe and secure for Odin and the baby. There are so few suitable places available in Moray now. It's a real problem and it's very, very stressful.
"I can't sleep properly because of the worry. I don't really feel like eating anything either but force myself for the sake of the baby."
Alannah has Elhers-Danlos Syndrome.
This rare medical condition has many symptoms, but in her case it causes her limbs to dislocate easily, meaning that she has to walk with a stick.
In addition, both Alannah and Jaimie have Crohns Disease.
Alannah said: "We're not looking for something on the cheap. We're willing to pay the going rate.
"However my health issues limit our options as to where we can live. It needs to be a bungalow or a groundfloor flat, because I can't do stairs.
"We'd need at least two bedrooms, but a three-bedroom property would be great beyond belief.
"In an ideal world we'd be able to find a place to rent in Dufftown because there's a GP surgery only a short walk away."
The family have lived on Tomnamuidh Road in Dufftown for the past three years.
However, it was always accepted that their lease for their rented property would end in April 2024.
Alannah said: "You hear so much about bad landlords, but the couple who are ours have been absolutely lovely.
"But he's due to retire in April and the estate property where they live is linked to his job.
"So they'll need to move back into their house in Dufftown."
Alannah and Jamie have been on the waiting list for a council house in Dufftown for the past two years.
However they are still only fifth on the list, while they are fourth from top in Aberlour.
Six months ago the couple widened their options to include Elgin.
They are currently 30th for New Elgin, 44th for Bishopmill and 52nd for Linkwood.
If you can help, email alannahjaynesimpson@hotmail.co.uk
