Couple who were homeless and living in an Audi given temporary accommodation in Chatham
15:57, 14 December 2022
updated: 16:17, 14 December 2022
A couple who were forced to live in their car after being made homeless have been put up in temporary accommodation.
Friday Quick was renting a property in Chatham when, in March, she was served a Section 21 – a so-called no-fault eviction notice which allows landlords to evict a tenant without giving a reason.
She and her two sons were told their landlord's situation had changed and needed to sell the house in Vale Drive on the Davis Estate.
The family were given until July to move out, which her sons did, but Friday was unable to find somewhere else to live.
Her partner Richard Warrior moved in and they constantly applied for places and were put on multiple waiting lists but kept being turned down due to their financial situation.
By October 27, they were evicted, made homeless and with nowhere left to turn were forced to live in their car – where Richard had previously been living.
They were staying in the Audi with only blankets, pillows, medication and a few appliances they could not use and were paying to keep the rest of their belongings in a storage locker.
Following KentOnline's article last month, the couple were helped by homeless charity One Big Family and Medway Council who put them up in a B&B.
After four weeks, they were finally moved into temporary accommodation in Chatham while they continue bidding on council houses and searching for other listings.
Friday said: "It is moving in the right direction. It is very good news, it is not as bad as it was, it is much better than the car.
"We will be here until we have got a bid and it has been accepted. It is a long process. It is heart-wrenching at times but it is not going to happen overnight. We are in the process now.
"It is a real weight off my mind. It was lovely to know people out there wanted to help us too. It restored my heart in humanity a little bit."
The pair are having meetings with their housing officer and hope to have an offer accepted on their own home soon, although they do have fears if they were to privately rent again.
Friday said: "We want somewhere where we can stay and be settled and not think in six months the landlord is going to sell it and we will be in the same boat again.
"I just want to be settled in a place I can call home."
They did view and put an offer in on a privately rented flat but the landlord decided to go with someone else.
Yesterday, Medway councillors approved plans to borrow just under £5.6m for a pilot scheme to buy 20 two-bedroom properties on the open market to be used at temporary accommodation.
A report presented to councillors said the demand for temporary accommodation has been on the increase for the last 10 years.
Deputy leader Cllr Howard Doe (Con), who is also the council's portfolio holder for housing and community services, said there were about 300 people in temporary accommodation.
Speaking previously, Medway Council explained the support it offers to people who find themselves homeless.
A spokesman said: "We are committed to helping Medway’s residents who have nowhere to live.
"We commission a range of accommodation and support for people with nowhere to live and work with a range of partners in the private and social housing sectors to help prevent residents from becoming homeless, this includes providing financial support.
"In line with national guidance, residents can also apply to be on our housing register. We assess everyone’s circumstances and prioritise those with greater housing needs; this includes people who are homeless or have medical needs.
"We would encourage anyone who is homeless, or who is at risk of becoming homeless to visit Kingsley House in Gillingham to access the specialist advice and support available to them."
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