Yahoo News Sofa-surfing Stokie in Wigan demands city council finds him Stoke-on-Trent home
A Stokie who fled the Potteries after losing his home is calling for the city council to find him somewhere to live - as he faces becoming homeless for a second time in two years. Andrew Hope had a council house in Newstead for six years before running into difficulty with his bills.
The 59-year-old lost the property in 2022 and managed to secure a roof over his head by moving in with friends in Wigan. But he says his friends have now left their property and he will have nowhere to live for a second time.
Now Andrew wants Stoke-on-Trent City Council to offer him ‘better help’ to find him a home.
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He said: “I was told that if I went to Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council and told them my circumstances I could ask them to transfer me back to Stoke-on-Trent. I don’t really want to do it that way. I just want Stoke-on-Trent City Council to give me a flat instead.
“I’ve been on the phone to Stoke-on-Trent City Council every day explaining to them - but they won’t seem to help me. I want to move back to Stoke-on-Trent. My family lives in Stoke-on-Trent - this is why I want to move back so I can be close to them.
“It feels like the council's homeless team doesn't want to help me. The house I’m in is not my house. I could go any day and stay in Stoke-on-Trent on the streets somewhere. I don’t really want to stay on the streets.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has confirmed it was first contacted by Andrew on April 3.
Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, said: “Mr Hope contacted Stoke-on-Trent City Council on April 3. We remain in contact with him and are continuing to assist him with his housing needs.”
