A MUM suffering from a significant brain condition while trying to look after her baby says she feels trapped in her flat and has accused Basildon Council of not doing enough to find her a suitable alternative.

Tia Riggs, 28, from Alracks, Basildon, is often left unable to move due to a buildup of pressure on her brain caused by fluid. She has an electronic device attached to her brain as part of managing her condition and has had over 40 procedures to remove fluid from it.

Tia lives in a flat, up 30 stairs without a lift, with her 10-month-old. She insists that nothing is being done by Basildon Borough Council to help.

Council bosses say that due to a "severe shortage" of social housing, they cannot even let her know when she might be able to move somewhere else.

Tia said: "The council is doing sod all about it. I've called the council several times, crying, and have asked how long I'm going to be waiting. When I look online, there is nothing that meets my criteria. I am stuck in my flat, with a ten-month-old baby, I had major surgery in September, and a more serious brain surgery is coming up.

"The main door to the flats is broken, nobody seems to care, I can't have an ambulance come to me if I need help, and firemen would need to break down the door. I keep asking, but nobody can give me any answers. I've tried every avenue, and nobody can help me.

"I am depressed and anxious. The fact that I can't get out is appalling. I can't carry my daughter downstairs. Her development is affected; I can't take her anywhere. Her seeing sunlight is rare, which is not good. I think it's disgusting; they made me jump through hoops to get medical documents and letters from my specialist doctor.

"I've given the council over 400 pages of medical evidence; there's no compassion, no understanding, no reassurance."

It comes as Basildon Council has added hundreds of homes to its council housing list since Labour took back the authority last May.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: "She has a 'live' housing application which has been assessed to reflect her housing and medical needs for a 2-bedroom, ground-floor property with bathing facilities.

"There is a severe shortage of social housing in general, but particularly ground-floor accommodation. Accordingly, we can't give a timeframe when she will be successful in obtaining another property. In the meantime, we would advise her to keep us updated with any new information or changes to her situation, so we can ensure this is accurately reflected in her banding.

"Repairs were completed to the entrance door on 10 June 2025, and the door is in working order. We have had no further reports of defects to the door from residents."