A HOMELESS woman with children suffering from vertigo has spoken of her fear and distress after being forced to move into a high-rise flat.

Nisha Poojara, 34, has been told by Barnet Homes, which maintains council accommodation on behalf of Barnet Council, that if she doesn’t accept the ninth-floor flat in the Stonegrove estate she will no longer be eligible to apply for housing.

But Mrs Poojara says her children, aged 11 and 14, have been petrified of heights since a close friend of the family died after falling from the roof of a tall building.

A letter from her GP, dated March 5, said: “Mrs Poojara has two sons who are scared of heights due to previous experience of a death of a friend, who fell from a tall building.

“Thus, they are unable to live in an accommodation where they have to live on a high-rise building.

“I would be grateful if you could consider this lady’s difficult situation and allow her to be re-housed in Finchley, where she could get support from family and be near her children’s school.”

The doctor also confirmed Mrs Poojara, who does not speak English, suffered from “out of control” depression and anxiety, which need to be controlled by medication.

Two years ago her husband committed suicide in India and she moved to England to be closer to her mother and brother.

She currently lives in temporary accommodation in Warwick Road, Edmonton.

Mrs Poojara’s brother, Deepak Valani, 31, said: “My sister is really desperate. She doesn’t know where to go for help and doesn’t even have enough time to seek proper legal advice.

“She had to accept this property immediately or risk losing the chance to get any property at all. But it’s completely inappropriate. Not only is it far too high, but it’s covered in graffiti and smells of drugs.

“The kids are really, really scared. It’s affected both their welfare and their education.”

The letter from the voids and letting manager of Barnet Homes, dated March 20, said: “I am satisfied that the offer of housing is suitable for you to occupy as settled accommodation.

“In reaching this decision I have also taken into account the shortage of housing in the area and that we can only meet your essential housing needs and not your preferences.”

The family will move into the property in the next few weeks, but plan to appeal to the council to overturn the decision. If they are unsuccessful they will lose their right to temporary accommodation.

A council spokesman said: “The council understands that the family appealed the original offer of a non-secure tenancy on the Stonegrove estate, but on appeal it was considered that the property was suitable for their needs.

“The family have very recently indicated that they will move into the property originally offered and have requested a review of their appeal under Section 202 of the Housing Act 1996.

“We have a statutory duty to consider this appeal within 56 days and the council will advise the tenant accordingly of the outcome.”