Bognor Regis family of six living in ‘unbearable’ conditions in council home

“I haven’t got a clue what’s going on with (Arun District Council). They don’t seem to want to help.” So said Sam Moore, who was moved to Bognor Regis from London due to issues with domestic violence and stalking.

He and his partner now describe their living conditions with six of them and two bedrooms as ‘unbearable’ and say they have had little support from the council.

A council spokesperson said they are aware of the case and officers have maintained ‘regular’ contact with the family.

“Although we acknowledge that circumstances are not ideal, unfortunately the type and size of accommodation needed for this particular resident is in very short supply. However, we will continue to review the situation in a bid to find a suitable solution,” they said.

But the family said this does not reflect their experience with council officers. “We only hear from (the council) if we contact them first or if they want money out of us,” Mr Moore’s partner said.

They say their accommodation, which was chosen and provided by the council, simply does not provide enough space for their four children.

Two of the children are sharing a single small room, the couple said, and the eldest, a 14-year-old who can’t share due to issues with autism and ADHD, is sleeping in a room ‘filled to the ceiling with boxes.’

“For him to move (from London), that was a shock to the system as it was,” his mother said. “Then having to live like this for this length of time, he’s basically not even the same child I brought here. It’s absolutely horrible.”

Mr Moore’s partner, who wishes to remain anonymous for her own safety, said she is living with depression, anxiety and emotionally unstable personality disorder, all of which have been triggered by the negative change in circumstances.

Since there’s no more room, she and Mr Moore are sleeping in the front room with their eight-week-old baby, a fact which makes things even more difficult.

“You can imagine. Living like this, watching my kids go through this. Then throwing a new baby in the mix. It’s very, very hard work. I feel guilty all the time because I can’t sort this out for them,” she said.

“We’re living on top of each other, we’re uncomfortable. It’s no good. My anxiety and depression have got really bad.”