A says, “When we moved in here, we applied for help from the Hardship Fund for decorating costs and they refused us. I wasn’t even working then, so I don’t know why they turned us down. After two years, we’ve only just managed to complete the second room and we still haven’t got carpets in most of the house. We got a second-hand carpet from a friend for my son and daughter’s room, but there’s no underlay as we haven’t got the money for it. Some of the boards have splinters and holes in them.”