Single dad sleeps on sofa so his daughter gets a bed in 'prison-like' temporary home

The single dad says they had to flee one hostel because of a 'cockroach infestation'

A single dad has shared his despair at being in temporary accommodation for almost a year in Birmingham. A couple of years ago, Anton Pinder* had a successful job working on HS2 and lived with his wife and three children.

As work slowed down on the project, he lost his job and his family broke up. Unable to find another job, he and his daughter had to move into a hostel. But a 'cockroach infestation' meant they had to move on again.

Now, they are in a one-bedroom flat in a former old people's home. He says he has been offered three properties, all of which he has accepted, but that the offers have been withdrawn, leaving them stuck in temporary accommodation.

Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency

Child poverty is soaring in Birmingham and without urgent change, will only get worse. Having worked with charities and community groups, BirminghamLive is campaigning for the following changes to start to turn the tide:

1. End the two-child benefit cap
2. Provide free school meals to every child in poverty
3. Create a city “aid bank” for baby and child essentials
4. Protect children’s and youth services
5. Create permanent, multi year Household Support Fund and give more Discretionary Housing grants
6. Set up child health and wellbeing hubs in our most deprived neighbourhoods
7. Appoint a Birmingham child poverty tsar
8. Provide free public travel for young people

You can see why in more detail here.

Read our full report Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency here.

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Read more: 10,000 and counting - record number of homeless kids in city as scandal worsens

"When we first moved into temporary accommodation, we were told it would be for around six months but it's been nearly a year now," said Anton. "My daughter has the bedroom and I sleep on the sofa in the living room. There are lots of young kids here, aged one to six and the noise is ridiculous.

"Life was fantastic two or three years ago. I was working on HS2 and doing really well. Then I lost my job and had a family break up. I've been applying for jobs but not been successful."

The father and daughter have already been moved from one temporary accommodation to another due to pests. He explained: "We were in temporary accommodation on the Hagley Road before but that one had bed bugs and cockroaches. You could literally see them running up the walls. So we were moved into this new place in January.

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"It's having a big impact on my daughter. She's getting bullied because of where she lives. She wants to have her friends round but she can't because we're not allowed to have any visitors. It feels like a prison. I had to fight for her sister to be allowed to visit and that was only allowed because she's my daughter. They said they wouldn't allow anyone else into the building.

"We only want a two-bedroom flat, we're not asking for a big property, but it feels like larger families with six or seven kids are getting re-homed before us in four-bedroom houses."

What Birmingham City Council says

A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: "Birmingham City Council is working on every front to prevent homelessness, and where temporary accommodation is required, ensure it is safe and suitable.

"The council inspects temporary accommodation on a regular basis. If we find that the accommodation does not meet acceptable standards, we will no longer use the premises. We follow up on every report made to us that tells us that these standards are not being met.

"The severity of the national housing crisis is evident, with a significant shortage of accommodation, particularly family accommodation, severely limiting our ability to assist families in need. For many families in the city and across the country, the reality is that many are enduring difficult circumstances and facing years-long waits for a home.

"The cost-of-living crisis has meant more people are presenting as homeless. Rises in rents mean the private rented sector has become unaffordable for many, and house prices have risen faster than wages.

"Despite this overwhelming demand, we are doing everything possible to construct new homes. However, the sheer demand necessitates government intervention - our current rate of house building cannot keep up with the current level of demand. If we continue as we are, the number of people that will benefit from the security provided by a good quality council home will continue to dwindle. Urgent action is needed and we will work with the new government to deliver more and better council homes that our city badly needs.

"Due to the shortage of accommodation, we encourage all citizens in housing to look at all options, to approach the council as early as possible, and to look to apply to Housing Associations and the private rented sector."

* Anton's name has been changed to protect his daughter's identity