A DEVASTATED family say they were forced to sell their home after struggling to pay a housing bill of nearly £8000.

A DEVASTATED family say they were forced to sell their home after struggling to pay a housing bill of nearly £8000.

William Tate, 34, and wife Joanne were given a £7780 bill for improvement work carried out by Glasgow Housing Association.

The couple, who live in Provanmill, pleaded with the GHA for time to raise the cash.

But when the association demanded, as it is required by law, that they pay within a year the couple had to sell their home.

William, Joanne and daughter Emily, 3, now live with William's father - and have no idea how they'll afford another home.

Joanne, 37, said: "We lived in a four-in-the-block but were the only family there to own their home.

"We voted against the improvements, but were outvoted. When GHA gave us the bill for almost £8000 we didn't know what to do."

As previously reported in the Evening Times, GHA has left hundreds of homeowners with bills of thousands of pounds for work on their properties.

But the GHA demanded homeowners pay their share of the bill within a year - leaving some facing legal action when they couldn't find the cash.

Joanne added: "My wee girl is so upset at losing the house. She's really unsettled and doesn't know what's going on.

"The way we were treated is abysmal. The woman at the GHA office was so unhelpful and uncaring."

After months of negotiations, they are paying off the bill in installments.

They say money they raised from the sale of the house isn't enough to buy another home.

Joanne said: "I don't know what we will do.

"Living with my father-in-law is not ideal but I'm nervous about applying for another house after the way we have been treated.

"The GHA was no help and left us with no option but to lose our home."

Sean Clerkin, of Glasgow Save Our Homes Campaign, said: "Loans are now available for families who are struggling with repair costs - but they are not enough."

The loans, administered by Communities Scotland and Glasgow City Council, cover only 50% of the total bill.

Mr Clerkin added: "If GHA do not act quickly to change their policy then there will be lots more families like the Tates."

Jennifer Russell, managing director of GHA (Management) Ltd, said: "Mr Tate recently met our staff to agree repayment terms to pay his remaining debt for the improvement works. We were happy to arrange a payment scheme which suited his circumstances."