“No one is willing to help,” said Mr Palin, 38. “They have had no bungalows the size that we need.

“It has to have plenty of rooms and we need somewhere we can get a lift in or that has a downstairs bedroom.”

The family-of-five currently live in a small terraced house where Amber, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has no other option but to drag herself from room to room due to the lack of space.

“She is supposed to get through the house with a walker but can’t and she can’t walk so has to crawl, we go through so many clothes,” said Mr Palin, 38.

Amber, who attends Evergreen Primary School in Bishop Auckland, is also forced to sleep downstairs away from her parents and two sisters, five-year-old Megan and one-year-old Mia.

Full-time carer and mum Hannah, 25, said: “It’s not a bedroom, but we’re using it as a bedroom and it’s not suitable – it’s not fair on her really.”

The family has also tried looking for more suitable accommodation on the private rental market but is unable to compete with those who have the cash to pay up front.

Though the family is looking in and around the Crook area, Mr Palin, who was made redundant in 2013, said: “If we found the right thing we would be happy to move.”

A spokesperson for Dale and Valley Homes said: “Dale and Valley Homes manages around 4,200 properties in the south west of the county and levels of demand can vary depending on specific locations and the type of accommodation required.

“As an organisation we are committed to providing advice and support to all housing applicants to find suitable accommodation to meet their needs.”