‘We’ll be deported since we haven’t paid our rent in months.’

 Amy and Joshua, a young couple in their twenties with three kids and another on the way, are about to become homeless after being given just seven days to leave their rental house.

They haven’t been able to keep up with rent because they rely on government assistance.

With the eviction approaching, they don’t know where they will live once they have to leave their current home.

Amy and her partner were desperate for housing help, but none of their relatives could assist them. Only an uncle in Somerset tried to help.

The housing organization threatened to remove them if they didn’t accept an offer that would split their family.

They felt terrified and helpless with no other options.

Barnsley Council’s inconsistent messages made it hard for Joshua and his family to know what to do next.

Although Joshua and Victoria Robertshaw had lived in the same house for a long time, Joshua’s name wasn’t on the tenancy agreement—only Victoria’s. She passed away in August 2020 at age 45 due to COVID-19.

Joshua and his family are in a tough spot because the council keeps changing its decisions. Joshua refuses to break up his family because of their choices.

The judge issued an outright possession order, which meant everyone living in the home had to leave within seven days.

A Sanctuary Housing spokeswoman said this decision took time but was made because the rent arrears built up after a long time of not paying rent.

The renters had been living in the house without paying their rent for months. The situation remains unresolved despite every effort to address it without legal action.

Barnsley Council has been working with the parties involved to find a new home for the residents as soon as possible, allowing them to make room for a family on Barnsley’s waiting list.

Jenny Platts, the Barnsley counselor in charge of the case, talked about it and said that the housing department had given the couple advice and help about possible alternatives.

Furthermore, they are doing everything possible to enable a quick search for suitable hotels.