'I broke down when I saw it...' Paralympic champion on social housing troubles

A PARALYMPIC gold-medal winner has said she suffered a “mental breakdown” while trying to find social housing in Stockport.

- BY DECLAN CAREY

Megan Giglia, an athlete and motivational speaker, won gold in track cycling at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, securing Great Britain’s first medal in the competition.

But she faced becoming homeless after a no-fault eviction from her rented Stockport home last year, and had to leave the property in March.

She was left staying in a hotel with her son, getting support from Stockport Homes while bidding for social housing properties.

The social housing provider said it understands how distressing the situation has been for Megan, and has done everything it can to support her and others in similar situations.

Social housing is in huge demand in the borough, where there were more than 9,000 applicants and fewer than 600 properties available last year.

The shortage has left many in Stockport bidding for social housing facing lengthy waits, with council officials saying in October that it could take as long as 12 years for some to get a property.