“I AM determined to get answers.”

That is the message from Help 4 Homeless Veterans, a charity which has been working with war veteran Tony Squirrell, since he revealed he 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.

The couple said they were 'forced' to find temporary accommodation and have been living apart - with Tony going as far as to sleep in his allotment shed for four nights. 

A council spokesman said it has done all it can to help them and offered them temporary accommodation at Wade House, which was refused.

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.

Bridgwater Mercury:
The letter Mr Squirrell received in response to his letter to Prime Minister Theresa May. 

David Wood, from Help 4 Homeless Veterans, said he hopes to put pressure on the council in a bid for the couple to be housed.

He said: "I was informed about the situation on Tuesday (June 5), I immediately got in touch with Tony to find out what the situation was.

"Our charity made arrangements straight away to locate them in a bed and breakfast for the next five nights.

"I am visiting Tony and Joan to discuss this case with the council to make sure the correct legislation has been carried out and to ask why they thought putting them in a halfway house was suitable temporary accommodation.

"I am determined to get answers and want to walk away with some temporary accommodation being offered by the council which will be suitable for Tony and Joan's needs.

"With the pressure that the charity and the media have put on the council, we hope it will help so a home can be found."


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


A spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council said Wade House is the only temporary accommodation the council can offer to Tony and Joan.

Tony, who served in the Royal Transport Corps in Singapore, Malaysia, Cyprus, Germany and Northern Ireland, said he approached Sedgemoor District Council for help.

Tony and Joan said they have been bidding for a number of properties around Sedgemoor but have not been successful.

Here is Sedgemoor District Council's full response to Mr and Mrs Squirrell:

"Mr and Mrs Squirrell made a homeless application in April 2018 after their landlord served them with a notice to leave as the landlord wished to sell the property.

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

"They have been awarded high priority Gold Band on our housing register and have been bidding for properties of their choice.

"At present, the council do not have any empty one-bedroom bungalows; there is a severe shortage of council-owned bungalows.

"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 housing register with many being elderly and vulnerable. Thirty-six (including Mr and Mrs Squirrell) 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.

"We have also offered help to secure privately rented accommodation in a location of their own choice, which they have refused.

"We have offered help with cash deposits and rent in advance for privately rented accommodation, which they have refushed.

"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.

"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 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."