A man who was turfed out of his home by a Congleton-based housing association last month said his life was “in danger” from sleeping on the streets.
Congleton Police posted on social media last month it had used a “big red key” to smash through the front door of a house on Edinburgh Road on a drugs raid, with a following post a week later saying that said it had worked with Plus Dane Housing to secure a closure order at the address following reports of “antisocial behaviour”.
It wrote on social media: “The order, granted by magistrates’ court, prohibits anybody from entering or remaining at the address for a period of three months.”
The man who lived in the house, David Wright, said he was “homeless and sleeping on the streets of Congleton” since the closure order.
Mr Wright said the property was “raided for drugs” on Wednesday, 20th May but none were found and he was evicted from his property and taken to court for antisocial behaviour.
He said: “I didn’t get an eviction notice they (Congleton Police) just put my door through on the Wednesday, and I got taken to court on the Friday.
“I had absolutely no way of getting to Chester – I was just set up to fail.”
He said he was unable to attend the court proceedings and said he tried to contact the courts but didn’t get through to them until noon. The hearing started at 2pm.
Mr Wright, whose leg was amputated four years ago and who relies on his electric wheelchair and crutches, lived in the address for three years and said the bungalow was “never fit for purpose” as it had steps leading into the property.
“The bungalow was a hazard from day one and Plus Dane Housing never made it accessible for me,” he added.
Since the eviction, Mr Wright said his mental health had “plummeted” and he was concerned for his safety as he described “kids shouting and throwing things” at him.
Mr Wright said: “I am bipolar and have Asperger’s, and my health and life is in jeopardy sleeping on the streets.
“I have been in contact with homelessness services, but they can’t find me anywhere to stay that’s accessible.
“I got offered a hotel for one night, but it was in Manchester – I can’t get to Manchester for one night.”
He denied the reports of antisocial behaviour and said he “was never throwing parties or covered in gold necklaces” he would “just go out once a day and come back home”.
A spokesperson for Plus Dane Housing said: “Following multiple reports of antisocial behaviour surrounding an address on Edinburgh Road in Congleton, we worked with the local police to secure a closure order at the address last month. The order was granted by the magistrates court and prohibits anybody from entering or remaining at the address for a period of three months.
“When this happens, the resident is unable to return to their home, and they are then directed to the local authority to request an assessment for emergency accommodation.
“A closure order is not something we undertake lightly and is a last resort to deal with serious ASB issues that negatively impact our neighbourhoods.”
Mr Wright said he was given “hardly any time” to pack up his belongings and was only able to take his electric wheelchair, one crutch and medication, but the rest of his belonging remained inside the property.
A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said: “We take all reports of homelessness and vulnerability very seriously and are committed to supporting residents in line with our statutory duties.
“Where someone approaches the council for assistance, we carry out a homelessness assessment and, where required, provide support which may include emergency accommodation and referrals to specialist services. We continue to work proactively to identify suitable accommodation options and connect individuals with the wider support available locally.
“As with many areas, there are ongoing pressures on the availability of temporary accommodation, particularly in specific locations, which can mean options are limited. However, we remain committed to working with those seeking assistance to identify appropriate solutions and to support them in accessing the help available.
“Due to reasons of confidentiality, we do not comment on individual circumstances.”
