Woman 'trapped' as lengthy housing wait goes on

A woman from East Sussex who has waited 15 months for accessible housing says she feels "trapped and isolated" in her home.

Sophie Brannigan, who has Crohn's disease and functional movement disorder (FMD) limiting her mobility, says she is struggling in her Eastbourne home which is up three flights of stairs with no lift.

After appealing against a rejected application to join the council's social housing register in November 2024, Brannigan was put on the list in October 2025 but a suitable property has yet to come up.

Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) said: "When a suitable property is identified the council's occupational therapist will assess it to ensure it is suitable to her needs."

Brannigan said: "I've always been an on-the-go, adventurous kind of person.

"I worked at a special needs school for a number of years prior to this all happening and I like socialising, travelling, solo trips.

"Now I've got to plan my weeks around how I'm going to get down the stairs."

Using the cooker and showering are both difficult in her current home, she says.

Brannigan's 2024 application was rejected after EBC determined the property was suitable for her needs.

EBC said there are "73 people, including Ms Brannigan" waiting for a property within her band.

A council spokesperson said: "All the medical evidence, her PIP awards... has been taken into consideration when determining her banding.

"When a suitable property is identified, the council's occupational therapist will assess it to ensure it is suitable for her needs."

Brannigan's MP, Josh Babarinde, who represents Eastbourne, has raised her case with the council.

He said: "It's taken far longer than it should have done for the council to review that application and assess whether or not she qualifies for social housing but local authorities across the country have been woefully underfunded for some time.

"They need to be better supported to help people like Sophie get the housing that they need and deserve," the Lib Dem MP said.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "Sophie's story underlines how important it is to build more social homes so we can give people secure housing in Eastbourne and across the country.

"This is why we're taking decisive action by investing £39bn investment to get more homes built, and exploring plans to ensure at least 40% of new homes are accessible."

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