Disabled and elderly forced onto the streets ahead of Christmas as homelessness crisis continues

An increasing number of vulnerable South Londoners face homelessness as the housing crisis continues to spiral out of control.

Data released by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities shows 727 residents in Lambeth were owed prevention or relief duty from their council to stop them from falling into homelessness – between January and March this year.

Lambeth had the third highest rates in London, behind Brent – where 766 were owed relief duty – and Enfield with 822. Southwark and Lewisham followed close behind with 674 and 539, respectively.

Danny Easter, 38, lives in Melrose Close, Lewisham. He is a full-time, unpaid carer to Sharon, 61, – who only wants to be known by her first name – who is bed bound and lives with him in the property.

Mr Easter said they both face homelessness ahead of Christmas, having been served a notice to quit by their housing association – which will see them forced out of the property by December 20.

Mr Easter, has lived in the house his whole life. Following the death of his father in 2008 the tenancy was succeeded to him and his sister. 

Now, 15 years on, Phoenix Community Housing is forcing Mr Easter out of the property.

He said: “I remember they called us the morning of my dad’s funeral and asked us to sign the paper.

“Now they’re saying only my sister’s name was signed as the only occupier. 

“She stays in another house with friends sometimes because she works in Kent – Phoenix said because she’s linked to another property we all have to leave.”

Pheonix Community Housing said their financial checks could prove that Mr Easters’ sister was staying in a different property which breaches their tenancy agreement.

Sharon moved in with Mr Easter three years ago, she suffers from POT Syndrome – which means she experiences a huge increase in heart rate from just sitting or standing up.

Mr Easter said: “She only gets out the house in an ambulance. They keep telling us to go into temporary accommodation but Sharon has a therapy dog which they don’t allow.

“Lewisham [council] already told me it’s going to be a struggle to get either of us housed. I won’t qualify for anything because I’m not disabled.

“If we don’t leave on the 20th they said they are going for a section 21 eviction. We will both be on the street at Christmas – we just can’t afford private rental.”

Since the notice to quit was served in October, Mr Easter said Sharon has been “in and out of hospital” because her condition deteriorates when she is stressed.

He said: “I’m stressed I’m not sleeping – it’s hard enough as it is when you care for someone. Surely I have a right to stay where I was born.”

Joanne Howell, 57, has been homeless since October 13.

She was housed in temporary accommodation in Englands Lane, Camden, by Southwark council in May but was forced out of the property by the council because she was not “needy enough” for social housing.

She said: “I feel unsafe, I’m depressed, life feels meaningless – I lost my husband two years ago and now my home.

“I can stay at my friends sometimes – she’s a really good friend – but she’s got kids and is already overcrowded so sometimes I’m just sleeping in my car.”

Ms Howell –  who works full-time in New Cross bus garage suffers from COPD which means she struggles to breathe and walk.

She said: “The council services are absolutely appalling – they have no idea what’s going on they just ask questions over the phone then tell you they can’t help.”

Pictured top: Mr Easter and Sharon in their home (Picture: South London Press/Takenya K Holness)