The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
'WHY DO WE HAVE TO MOVE , DADDY?
Families facing eviction to make way for the homeless tell of anguish
Devastated parents have described their heartbreak at being evicted fromtheir homes so they can be used as temporary accommodation.
All 74 households at St Michael’sGateinParnwellwill be forced to leave the estate with manyfamilies uncertain where they will be spending Christmas this year.
As exclusively revealed by the Peterborough Telegraph, theevictions arebeingcarried outbyaprivatefirmwhichwill bepaidnearly£1 million ayear by Peterborough City Council to use the properties as temporary accommodation for homeless families.
The council, which has been slammed for doing the deal, is desperate to have access to the homes after being overwhelmed by the rise in homelessness in Peterborough. The authority is expecting an overspend of at least £1.4 million this financial year after being forced to put up homeless families in a Travelodge due to a shortage of available hostels and C&C accommodation.
One dad facing an uncertain Christmas is Richard Lee who, with partner Cherie Withey and children Summer (7) and Cody (2) has until December 4 to be out of their home after six- and- a- half years.
He said: “It’s right before Christmasandit’sashorttime to find the money to move. It’s hardandit’saffectingthekids.
“Our little girl asked ‘why do we have to move?’ It’s devastating.
“WehavelivedinPeterborough all our lives and it makes me feel sick. At the moment it looks like we are going to have to live with my mother to save us money until we can find somewhereintheprivate sector or the council help us out.
“I look at my kids and don’t knowwheretheywillbeintwo months.”
Mr Lee, as well as other residents the PTspoketo, said theofficialreasongivenforhis family’s eviction was because theirhomeneededtoberefur- bished.
The firm carrying out the evictions is Paul Simon Magic Homes. On Tuesday it told the PT it would not be commenting on the story then said someone would call back later that day. Afternocallwas received, the PT rang back on Wednesdayandwastoldthere would be “no comment whatsoever.”
Paul Simon bought the properties f rom Akelius, with tenants informed of the change of landlords in June. And soon afterwards came shock letters telling the families they were being evicted.
Graphic designer Kash Hizol, who lives with his partner and their 27-month-old daughter, is worried about his family being homeless at Christmas after being given aneviction date of October28.
However, he claimed he has a fixed contract until April and he is prepared to go tocourttostophisfamilyfrom losing their home.
Hesaid: “It’s greed. Just because somecompanywantsto makemoneytheyareevicting us because they will get more rent money from the council.
“We are ironically helping ourselves to be evicted because we pay our tax. It does not make sense to make us homeless to give other people a home. A big chunk of people workattheTescodistribution centre and their kids go to local schools. A lot of them do not have a car. We are people with lives, with stories. If we don’t fight for the cause this society will be totally unfair.”
Dawid Sohling (30), who lives withwifeJoanna(29), son Oskar(4) anddaughterWiktoria (2), has been told he has to leave after seven years at his home, butheisstill waitingfor an eviction date.
He said: “They give my home to the homeless and make me homeless - i t’s strange. We are looking for some places in Parnwell and Dogsthorpe because it’s not far from my son’s school.
“I ’m upset and scared about my children and the future. I’m very worried it’s going to bewintertime(whenwe areevicted). I askedmyfriends but no one can help.”
Michael Dingeldein (75) has lived in his home for 21 years and said he is now see- ing neighbours in tears.
He said: “All these people work - we pay rent and our council tax.
“I’m angry for the people thathaveleft. I’mtryingtogive themconfidence to stay so we have the ammunitiontofight.
“If there’s a housing shortage where are they going?”
Tony Roberts ( 48), who lives with wife Yvonne, has been told he has to leave by November 17 but says he has a contract until April.
He added: “We do not have the funds to move. Some families have moved out already and one lady paid a company £300 to find a house.
“Ceing homeless is always theworry. Wegotothecouncil andwhataretheygoing to do? Theyhaveall the people in the Travelodge.
“The council has passed the buck.”
The council only discovered on Tuesday that the company which is evicting people was Paul Simon Magic Homes. However, thecontract it is signingis insteadwithStef and Philips, the managing agent for the properties.
A day earlier Adrian Chapman, service director for adultsandcommunitiesatthe council, said: “It is a fact that if we didn’t make use of these properties, Stef and Philips Limited would rent them out to another organisation, mostlikely another council. It wouldbefoolishofthecouncil