War veteran, 74, said he had 'no other option' than to live in allotment shed after he was declared homeless

War veteran Tony Squirrell has been sleeping in his shed.

Five weeks ago, the 74-year-old and his wife, Joan, were made homeless when the owner of their rented property informed them it was to be sold. 

They say they were 'forced' to find temporary accommodation and have been living apart - with Tony going as far as to stay in his allotment shed for four nights.

Having served in Singapore, Malaysia, Cyprus, Germany and Northern Ireland, Tony said he reached out to Sedgemoor District Council for help but says they have not been given a home.

A council spokesman said it had done all it can and offered them accommodation, which was refused.

"We went to see the council as we had to move out of our previous property and were told the council didn't have an obligation to house us," Tony said.

"They tried to bully us into going into private accommodation but it is so expensive in Bridgwater now that it's something we can't afford.

"The council said they would put us in temporary accommodation while they looked for a home for us and initially we were offered a place at Laburnham House which we were happy with."

But Tony said things quickly changed and claims the council changed their minds within 24 hours and decided to place the couple at Wade House.

"It was disgusting. There were stains all over the mattresses and we would have had to share a bathroom with other people," Joan said.

After refusing the temporary accommodation, Tony and Joan said they have put in multiple bids on a number of properties around Sedgemoor but have not been successful.

"I have lived in Bridgwater for 42 years, my home is in Bridgwater, my family is here and that is where I am staying," said Joan.

"I have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) so struggle to climb the stairs. We have looked at a few bungalows which would suit our needs and put in bids but so far, we haven't been successful.

"I am just wondering when this will be over."

The war veteran wrote to Prime Minister Theresa May after he was declared homeless and received a reply, but said no further action has since been taken by the government.

Tony said he has been staying in his allotment shed for the last four nights and said the couple's housing problems have caused him a lot of stress.

"My wife had a breakdown and I have been feeling suicidal, I have been to war and seen some horrible things but nothing has taken its toll on me like this," Tony said.

"Veterans in our society are not treated well. 

"In America they do such a lot for them but here we get nothing."

He said the couple had been in touch with veterans charity, Help 4 Homeless Veterans, which had arranged temporary accommodation.

"We are going in the right direction, the veterans charity has done more for us in the last 24 hours than the council has done in months," Tony added.

"The council has an obligation to look after their veterans and to vulnerable people - and they haven't looked after us."

Claire Faun, spokeswoman for Sedgemoor District Council, said Mr and Mrs Squirrell made a homeless application in April 2018 after their landlord served them with a notice to leave as they wished to sell the property.

They were immediately assigned a case officer by the council, who has been working with them to try to secure alternative accommodation.

She said the couple are Gold Band-listed as ‘high priority’ on the housing register and have been bidding for properties of their choice.

“At present, the council does not have any empty one-bedroom bungalows and there is a severe shortage of council-owned bungalows," she said.

“We have lost a lot of council-owned property under the Right to Buy scheme and, with funding regulations, we are unable to replace these homes.

"We have 1,700 active applications on the housing register, with many being elderly and vulnerable.

"A total of 36 (including Mr and Mrs Squirrell) are in the Gold Band.

“Mr and Mrs Squirrell decided to stay with family members on a temporary basis.

"Temporary accommodation has been made available to Mr and Mrs Squirrell, which they have refused."

The spokeswoman said the council has also offered help to secure privately rented accommodation in a location of their own choice, which they have refused.

Tony said he slept on a bed in his allotment shed, pictured, for four nights. 

“We have offered help with cash deposits and rent in advance for privately-rented accommodation, which they have refused,” said the spokeswoman.

Mr and Mrs Squirrell have been bidding for properties, are being shortlisted and they have a good chance of being rehoused in council accommodation once a suitable property becomes available, the council said.

“Unfortunately, there is a severe shortage of accommodation in all districts, demand is high and therefore it inevitably takes time for properties to become available," the spokeswoman added.

“The council works hard to prevent homelessness whenever we can because we are only too aware of the stress it causes.

"The offer of short-term temporary accommodation remains open to Mr and Mrs Squirrell, as does the offer to help secure privately rented accommodation.

“We will continue to work with Mr and Mrs Squirrell to help them secure a solution to their housing needs.”