Rustington cancer sufferer evicted by housing association

A CANCER patient, with months left to live, has been devastated by the decision of a housing association to evict him from his Rustington home
Steven Stedman            PHOTO: Stephen Goodger    L40552H13Steven Stedman            PHOTO: Stephen Goodger    L40552H13
Steven Stedman PHOTO: Stephen Goodger L40552H13

Steven Stedman, 47, formerly of Oakhurst Gardens, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, last year.

In a further major setback, last month Mr Stedman was the victim of a stabbing, which left him in hospital fighting for his life.

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However, days before being released, the unemployed father-of-eight discovered that social landlords, the Littlehampton and Rustington Housing Society Ltd, had taken the decision to evict him from his home for causing a ‘nuisance’ to his neighbours.

John Morris, chief executive officer for the organisation, said: “The society will continue to help Mr Stedman and support him in whatever way we can in what has been a very difficult time.”

Speaking of his eviction, Mr Stedman said: “It came as a massive shock. I couldn’t understand why I was being evicted.

“It was the last thing I wanted to hear when I was recovering from my ordeal.

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“Why should I be penalised for something that I never had any control of?

“All I wanted was a peaceful home where I could spend my last few days, surrounded by friends and family.”

The eviction served to Mr Stedman stated he was being ordered to leave his property because of the disturbance there.

The society offered Mr Stedman accommodation in Bognor Regis, where he could stay.

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However, he has refused this, saying he wanted to stay with the friends he had made in Rustington.

“I have lived there for about two years,” he explained. “It’s my home and I had everything the way I wanted.

“I had decorated it the way I wanted it to be and it was comfortable.

“It was a place that I wanted to pass away in.

“I appreciate being offered another place to live but it just isn’t the same.

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“I would have to start from scratch and it would take me away from a lot of my friends who understand my situation.”

Mr Stedman takes morphine four times a day to numb the pain he faces because of his condition.

He has had several treatments of chemotherapy and radiotherapy both of which failed to beat his cancer.

“I can’t put into words how I feel with the pain of the cancer,” he added. “There are nights when it’s just unbearable and this added stress isn’t helping during my final days.”

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He is currently staying with his daughter Chantelle at her home in Wick.

However, he said he does not want to impose on her for too long and is urging the Littlehampton and Rustington Housing Society to let him back into his old property.

He said: “I love my daughter. She is an angel. But it’s not fair on her to have to look after me. It’s been a difficult few months for me and I don’t want to burden her with all my troubles.”

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