A PENSIONER from Salisbury is facing the prospect of homelessness – or being sent miles away from her family by the council – after it failed to find her accommodation after her tenancy expired.

Pam Williams, 70, started bidding for housing ten weeks ago but hasn’t found anywhere.

Despite being paralysed on her left hand side following a stroke, she faces declaring herself homeless – which could involve her being placed in emergency accommodation anywhere in Wiltshire.

She said: “I spoke to somebody at the council and they said the quickest route to get a house was to declare yourself homeless but then I could end up in Melksham or Chippenham.

“All of my family and friends are in Salisbury and, with the problems that I have, I need to be close to them as I rely on them for help.

“I have been a resident of Salisbury all my life and the council just don’t seem to be concerned about me.”

Her landlord has allowed her to stay on in the short term but Mrs Williams faces moving to her daughter’s house if she does not get somewhere soon, and she finds it difficult to get up her daughter’s stairs and would have to sleep on the sofa.

She added: “When I bid for houses sometimes about 50 people are in the queue ahead of me.

“I am hoping to get something soon but I am just so worried about it.”

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said: “We always do what we can to help and have sympathy for anyone who finds themselves in this situation.

“There are a number of options available, including private rented accommodation and bidding for properties through Homes4Wiltshire.

“We always encourage people to consider the full range of housing options when looking to resolve their situation.

“We recognise that often the barriers to preventing homelessness are financial and, in certain instances, financial help is available to those in need.

“We will continue to work actively with Ms Williams and support her in her search for accommodation.”