Family offered home – but 200 miles from city

Father fears homelessness if he doesn’t move to North East

- STEPHANIE BALLOO News Reporter

A BIRMINGHAM father seeking a home for his family claimed the city council offered him a property in the North East of England.

Kian Jones, 25, said he was being forced to either move four hours from Birmingham, or face homelessness after he complained about rats and piles of rubbish at his temporary accommodation.

The 25-year-old said he had been offered a property in Hartlepool, near Middlesbrough - some 200 miles from the family’s home and support network - which he refused.

Birmingham City Council said it did offer the family a property but had withdrawn the offer because it was not suitable.

“Birmingham City Council has insisted that we accept the offer away from Birmingham, subsequently lowering our housing priority band to Band B and demanding that we vacate our current hostel accommodation,” he said.