Father forced to carry disabled son up to first floor flat waits seven months for suitable home

ITV News

14-05-2025

ITV News' Elaine Willcox paid a visit to Stephen's home to see how the cramped conditions are affecting his family.
A father-of-four who has to carry his disabled son up flights of stairs multiple times a day says it's impossible to give "his children a better life" until they find a suitable home.
Stephen Murray currently lives with his four sons in his one bedroom flat in Widnes, where they are all forced to sleep in the same room.
In their bedroom, Stephen explains: In [one] bed is Kade and Kaylum, and the one that's folded up is where my eighteen year old Kyle sleeps. But my mum passed away on Mother's Day so he's sleeping at my dad's at the moment.
"And then on that bed there is where me and Harry sleep. There's five of us in one room."
Despite Stephen searching every night on his Housing Association's property pool, he's yet to find anywhere with enough room.
He said: "I don't feel like I'm getting any support. I had to take my children away from the situation they were in to give them a better life, but I feel like they've gone backwards.
"They're frozen in time because there's so much they should be getting but they're not. There's no light at the end of the tunnel, it's just getting dimmer and dimmer."
The lack of space makes it impossible for Stephen's seven-year-old son Harry, who has cerebral palsy, to use his wheelchair or mobility aids to move around the house - which could have a lifelong impact on his mobility.
Most people with cerebral palsy have mobility issues, but regular exercise and play are crucial for maintaining and improving their physical strength.
Stephen said: "The physio said it's… getting worse and it could get to a point where he won't be able to stretch his legs out.
"He gets in the bath, but he's bruising his legs. A wet room he'd be in his wheelchair and have a proper shower. It'd be so much easier."
The pain from his legs can cause Harry to cry out in pain, much to the distress of his brothers.
His older brother Kade said: "I love [Harry]. I love him with all my heart, and I want him to be happy but right now he can't be happy because he can't get what he needs."
His other brother Kaylum added: "What if my dad falls? What would happen then with Harry? All we need is a house with enough bedrooms for us."
Their father Stephen has been searching for a suitable home for seven months, and despite successfully bidding on three properties all of the offers were eventually withdrawn. He worries that even when he does find a new home, his housing association Halton Housing will not pay for the adaptations needed to help Harry.
In response, Halton Housing said: "Since being made aware of Mr Murray's change of circumstances, we've been working closely with him to support a move to a more suitable home that will meet his family's needs."
But Stephen's local MP Derek Twigg says he is "very unhappy" with Halton Housing's response, claiming there is no "adequate explanation given" about the withdrawals of previous offers.
He said: "Halton Housing advised that there was no date available for when this family will be adequately housed and no adequate explanation given about why the previous house offer was withdrawn.
"Halton Housing have been informed that I am very unhappy with their response, I have asked for further assistance for Mr Murray and his children."
Until a suitable home is found, Stephen will have to continue carrying his son up a narrow hallway at least twice a day.
He said: "People have said 'what would happen if you hurt your back? Well I'd be knackered wouldn't I? What am I meant to do? I've got to carry him upstairs or we sleep in my car."