By Claire Jacobs
A homeless man from Brighton has been placed in emergency housing in the same building where he was sent after being sexually abused as a child.
Daniel Harris, 32, was offered a room in Percival Terrace, Kemp Town, in January after spending three years homeless.
Mr Harris told councillors that he was housed in the same building when he was six years old after being sexually abused – something he explained to housing staff at Brighton and Hove City Council.
But despite this, he was told to take the room or remain homeless.
Mr Harris also told housing officers that the abuse had caused post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.
And he was concerned that these conditions could be further exacerbated if he was to return to the home where he was suffering nightmares and flashbacks about being abused.
Mr Harris shared his story with councillors when the council met last month as he presented a petition about the standard of emergency housing in Brighton and Hove.
Mr Harris said that the living standards in Percival Terrace were very poor while the cost of renting in the privately owned 60-room property was high.
His petition – signed by more than 1,500 people – called for the standards of emergency housing in the city to be improved.
The rent for a self-contained room at Percival Terrace, according to Mr Harris, is £28 a day. When council tax is added, his monthly outgoings are £900.
He said that it was possible to let better rooms for just £300 on a lodger basis.
Mr Harris said that “based on my calculations that’s £540,000 vulnerable people are paying to this landlord annually”.
He was housed in Percival Terrace when the council overturned a previous decision and agreed that he was in priority need of housing and they accepted a duty of care.
Mr Harris said that he felt “pushed into a decision which is unlawful and took advantage of my vulnerable position” to accept the room.
He had not wanted to move to Percival Terrace but felt that it was his only option other than face being homeless on the street.
I heard this lovely young man’s speech at the council meeting when he was handing over the petition. My heart went out to him and others in similar positions. I hope one day VERY VERY soon his current situation changes and that his nightmares can be finally laid to rest.
Thanks Mitch. 🙂 kind words x