Nechells family have support of GP and school head – but cannot escape ‘disgusting’ flat where four children have to live
13:27, 31 Jan 2026Updated 13:28, 31 Jan 2026
Weini Asmelesh Abraha has problems with damp in her flat
A Birmingham mum-of-four at the centre of a 16-year wait to quit her damp and mouldy home spent a week in hospital with breathing problems, it has emerged.
Carer Weini Asmelesh Abraha has been bidding on Birmingham City Council properties in the hope of finally moving her four children from their two-bed flat in Nechells.
After her recent week-long hospital stay, a community worker called for urgent council action, warning: “I’ve told certain people that if she dies, it’s on them.”
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The 42-year-old mum and carer has been told to ‘keep bidding’, despite years of leaks, mould and health issues. Concerns have been raised by her childrens’ GP and school headteacher, with the authority sent letters supporting their rehousing bid.
Their banding was also moved from a Band C to higher-priority B, but they have had no luck. The council said property repairs had been carried out in January and more were planned within weeks.
The mum was hospitalised with respiratory issues, reportedly due to their damp housing
After Weini’s hospital stay, community worker Rizwan Zubair told BirminghamLive: “She’s worried, she has four kids, and if anything happens to her, they will be on their own.
“Weini is totally stressed. She hardly sleeps, she works as a carer, she comes back, picks up the kids from school every day and has to come home to all this.
“How can you make a family live like this for 16 years?
Weini Asmelesh Abraha pictured in her and her son’s shared bedroom(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
“How has she been bidding for that long and still living in this disgusting flat with four children? They’re all sleeping in one damp bedroom.”
After initial concerns were raised over the ‘extreme wait’ by BirminghamLive last year, the council carried out repairs and “fixed everything,” Mr Zubair said.
But he said the issues soon returned and were ‘only getting worse’. Mr Zubair claimed workers only “patched over” the problems, ignoring the root cause of the damaged, leaking roof.
“They sent workers from Equans and they told us ‘give us one more chance and we will sort the issues out,'” he said.
The bedroom she shares with her son(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
“They fixed everything, and then the leaks came back straight away. All they’ve did was patch over the evidence. Now, it’s all coming through the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom.
“Last time I went to her house, all the kitchen cupboards were leaking. It’s getting worse and worse.”
Over the years, the children have continued to suffer with their health to the extent professionals have written to the council.
“She has four kids sleeping in one room, and they’re all ill,” said Mr Zubair.
Weini Asmelesh Abraha’s kitchen (Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
“Especially the youngest one, her headteacher has written to the council and her GPs wrote twice to the council to get them out of there. They’re ignoring it, it’s unbelievable.
He added: “I’ve been helping other families, but that was done quicker, they moved them.
“But this family, I don’t understand why they won’t move them out of there.”
The childrens’ headteacher even became involved and wrote to say their property was ‘not fit’ for the family
Birmingham City Council said: “A repair to the first-floor communal walkway that partially runs above the property was conducted on January 12. Since the walkway repairs have been completed, no further ceiling leaks have been observed.
“During a visit with housing officers on January 23, it was agreed with Ms Abraha that works would be carried out on February 16 and 18, as this suits Ms Abraha’s availability, which we fully understand.
Pictured is the hallway of her block, where water also gets in.(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
“We expect to install enhanced ventilation and will treat mould in the property during February. The installation of the enhanced ventilation was previously refused.
“Having reviewed our records, the council maintains that, when notice and access have been given, all works on Ms Abraha’s property have been completed within a reasonable timeframe.
The back of her toilet.(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
“No-one should have to live in a home with damp and mould, and we take all reports of these issues extremely seriously — particularly where they may affect a resident’s health.
“Improving the quality of all council homes across Birmingham is a key priority for the council, and we have dedicated teams focused on tackling damp and mould, carrying out repairs, and supporting tenants who need additional help.
“These teams are committed to meeting the standards set by Awaab’s Law, which places clear duties on landlords to respond quickly and effectively to damp and mould. As we’ve done in this case.
Pictured is the hallway of her block, where water also gets in.(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
“Birmingham City Council is investing more than £200m a year in providing better council homes – the country’s biggest investment into council homes. In the past year, 35,000 upgrades have been made across 6,000 council homes, and many tenants are now living in warmer homes that are cheaper to heat.
“However, we accept many homes in our housing stock require improvement, and so the pace of this investment will continue over the next six years. The council remains on track to achieve its aim of 100 per cent compliance with the Decent Homes Standards by 2032.
Weini Asmelesh Abraha with her son(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
“We know and understand that Ms Abraha and her family are having to deal with overcrowding. Ms Abraha is correctly placed on the housing register in band B.
“Due to the national housing crisis, demand for homes in Birmingham is very high, with 26,000 people on the housing register waiting for homes – of which many are homeless or have other critical housing needs.
“We sympathise with the difficulties Ms Abraha faces due to her situation and would recommend she considers all alternative housing options, including the private rented sector and other housing providers.”
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