Me and my special needs brothers could be homeless after death of mum & gran – the council have told us to leave in days
TWO brothers with special needs and their carer sibling claim they face homelessness after the deaths of both their mum and gran within weeks of each other.
The trio have been told by their housing association that they have until 1 August to move out and say they will be on the streets after that.
James Sidell, 40, is a carer to his brothers John, 37, and Malcolm, 36, who both have special needs.
All three of the brothers suffer from health issues and they recently lost both their mum Lorraine and gran Ethel within a month of one another.
James told the Newcastle Chronicle he has a rare type of arthritis meaning his spine is similar to that of a 90-year-old.
He added that John has autism, epilepsy, Spina bifida and scoliosis while Malcolm has autism, epilepsy, twisted ankles and a mental illness.
Lorraine passed away from cancer on 16 May while Ethel suffered an aneurysm and heart attack on 7 June.
The family attempted a move to Leicestershire in 2020 but were told that district council rules made them ineligible for social housing.
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This meant they had to rent properties privately, with Lorraine and the boys in one and Ethel in the other.
However, last year they decided as a family to move back home to Ashington.
They say that Ethel got the keys to a flat in the Northumberland town on the same day Lorraine died.
After their mother’s death, the three brothers planned to live with Ethel in a caravan until they could all afford a property together.
Sadly, Ethel died before this was possible.
James said they did not want to lost the over four thousand pounds his gran had paid to move all their belonging to the flat so they packed up their properties in Leicestershire and moved to Ashington in June.
However, the housing association that own the flat, Bernicia Homes, told the brothers that the tenancy is in Ethel’s name and so they have no legal right to live in the property and must be out by the beginning of next month.
James says that, due to funeral costs, the trio cannot afford to live in a caravan anymore and so the eviction will leave them homeless.
“I’m very annoyed. I have got two special needs brothers and I am in bad health myself. I’m worried about being on the streets. They should be trying to get me a house.”
“The way I am picking it up is we have to move onto the streets and that’s it.”
“I just want a home I can move into as soon as possible so I can get settled for the rest of my life. I’m stressed and I’m worried sick.”
Jeannie McMillan, housing director at Bernicia, said: “We are aware of the Siddell family’s situation and appreciate it is a stressful time for them.”
“Unfortunately, the family has no legal interest in the property that was offered as a home for their grandmother, who sadly passed away before moving in.”
“Anyone who wants to rent a home with Bernicia must first register with the local Choice Based Lettings Scheme and the family has been provided with appropriate guidance on how to apply for a Bernicia home, and how to approach the local authority for advice on homelessness.”
In a statement, Northumberland County Council said: “Mr Siddell has been accepted onto the Housing Register (however this does not provide details of his siblings and their circumstances. This will need to revisited with him).”
“Mr Siddell has been awarded a priority based on their need for accommodation, however it would appear that the family gave up a tenancy in Leicestershire and moved into a property that they were not eligible to do so.”
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“The family do not have a local connection to Northumberland, therefore have been awarded the highest band possible in the circumstances.”
“Our Homelessness & Housing Options Team did provide the family with advice in early July, and they do need to explore all options for accommodation which will include the private rented sector.”