Challenge (Before)
A Ukrainian mother attended a DPIA Housing Forum feeling extremely anxious after being told by her landlord that the family needed to leave their accommodation within only a few days. The situation came as a shock. The family had nowhere else to go and did not understand whether the landlord was allowed to ask them to leave so quickly. Having only recently rebuilt some stability after displacement, the uncertainty brought back feelings of fear and insecurity. The attendee shared during the forum that she had barely slept for several nights, worrying about what would happen to her children if they suddenly lost their home. Because English was not her first language and the Welsh housing system felt unfamiliar, she did not know her rights or who to ask for help.
Intervention (Action)
During the housing Q&A session, the attendee bravely shared her situation and asked for advice from a representative from the Welsh Refugee Council Housing and Policy Team. The representative explained clearly that landlords cannot simply ask tenants to leave within a few days without following the correct legal process and helped clarify what rights and protections may apply. Practical advice was given about next steps, where to seek support, and what the family should do if further pressure was placed on them. Importantly, the attendee said that simply being able to ask the question in a safe and supportive environment and hearing that she was not expected to deal with the situation alone, immediately reduced some of the panic she had been carrying.
Results (After)
- The attendee reported feeling calmer and less overwhelmed after understanding that the family had rights and options.
- She left the forum with practical next steps and a clearer understanding of where to seek support.
- Confidence increased in communicating with agencies and responding to the situation.
- The family felt more secure knowing that immediate homelessness was not inevitable and that support existed.
