Eastbourne carer and ill wife fear eviction after benefits cut

David and Sarah Earl fear they will be evicted from their privately rented accommodation in Croxden Way as they can no longer afford the rent.

Sarah has chronic kidney disease and cannot work, while David is her full time carer.

He said, “We are beside ourselves with worry. We don’t feel we are getting anywhere.”

Recently Sarah, 45, was assessed resulting in her Personal Independence Payments (PIP) being docked from enhanced to standard.

The couple are desperately looking for somewhere else to stay, but it is increasingly difficult in the middle of a pandemic – and they say many landlords will not rent to people on benefits.

They have appealed to Eastbourne council for help but say they were told the only available option could be living in a hotel for up to two years before a council house becomes available.

“A hotel room is not conducive to my wife’s health condition,” said David, 58, “Nor my diagnosed PTSD and panic attacks.”

He said, “We have worked hard all our lives, we have paid our taxes. Now we need a little bit of help and sadly it’s just not happening.”

A spokesperson for Eastbourne Borough Council said a member of the housing team will contact Mr and Mrs Earl.

They said, “If someone meets our criteria we will offer them temporary accommodation to prevent them from being homeless.

“On assessment we review the needs of the customer, and their household, to ensure we’re providing accommodation which is suitable for them.

“We are managing a large cohort of customers who present as homeless on a daily basis.

“Our opportunity to house people in our own housing stock is limited by the very small movement out of our homes and a housing register in Eastbourne of approximately 1,100 applicants.

“This means we have to suggest and assist people into the private rented sector as a viable alternative.

“We work with all applicants to try to achieve this and prevent the need or emergency accommodation, but often have to resort to this option to meet our statutory homeless duty.”