A HOMELESS woman who needs a Zimmer frame to walk was twice offered accommodation with stairs by bungling housing chiefs.

The woman, who cannot be named, would have been left on the streets were it not for a charity's intervention, it was claimed this week.

She was twice placed in 'totally unsuitable' properties by Hounslow Council, according to the charity Zacchaeus 2000 (Z2K).

Despite having a severe form of multiple sclerosis, meaning she cannot climb the smallest of steps, both homes she was offered had sets of stairs.

The woman was made homeless on Friday, October 14, and was initially offered a basement flat.

It wasn't until she visited the property that council officers realised their mistake and agreed to put her up in a bed and breakfast for the weekend.

The following Monday, despite knowing about her disability, they offered her a second property with the kitchen and bathroom on the first floor.

She spent the night there, having little other option, but went to the Civic Centre the next morning to make her case.

However, it was not until Z2K, which supports vulnerable debtors, learned about her problems and stepped in that a suitable home was found for her in neighbouring Ealing.

James Goldstone, the charity's deputy housing benefit manager, said when he met her at the Civic Centre on Tuesday at about 6.30pm - more than five hours after she had arrived - she was on her own except for the cleaners left sweeping up around her.

"In my time working for Z2K this is one of the worst cases of neglect I've encountered for someone so vulnerable," he told the Chronicle.

"We were lucky to have found out about it when we did otherwise a disabled woman would have been forced out onto the street by Hounslow Council."

The charity has made an official complaint to the council about the woman's treatment.

It is particularly angry that she was left to cover all her transport costs, leaving her unable to buy credit on her phone so she could call for help.

Mr Goldstone also warned that the imminent cap on housing benefits could lead to similar problems across the capital as many more people are forced from their homes.

A council spokesman said: "The woman was initially threatened with homelessness due to eviction by her private landlord. The council provided her with housing option advice and worked closely with other support agencies to prevent her homelessness and assess her vulnerability and the type of suitable accommodation for her."

He added that officers felt the second property would be suitable as it had an en-suite bathroom. However, she requested a transfer because the door was too narrow for her Zimmer frame.

"We apologise for any discomfort caused to her, and we hope to move her back into Hounslow as soon as possible. This is dependent on how quickly a suitable property becomes available," he said.