A MAN who suffers from epilepsy is being forced to sleep on the streets because council staff cannot find him suitable accommodation.

John Kirby has been homeless for nearly eight months because he is on the Brighton and Hove City Council housing waiting list.

The 44-year-old has lived in the city for 13 years but said he was moved out of a property in Westbourne Villas, Hove, in September because he needed to live in sheltered housing where someone could look out for him if he had an epileptic fit.

He claims the council told him he had a place at the King George William Mews YMCA in Portslade, but he is yet to move in.

He said: “Every time I enquire I’m told there still isn’t room available but I have been accepted. I’m working with the rough sleepers team but I don’t know where to turn. I feel like I’ve been forced into homelessness because there isn’t suitable accommodation available for my condition.

“I don’t know what to do. No one is giving me any answers and I can’t get a job because of my epilepsy. I’ve had to ask people to look after my dog for me because I don’t have a home to take him to.

“I’ve had stuff stolen from me and I’ve been attacked while on the streets.

“I feel like I’ve been forgotten about and fobbed off and I feel like giving up.”

A council spokesman suggested the fact Mr Kirby had a dog could impact on his wait for a new home.

He said: “Data protection and client confidentiality rules mean we are unable to comment on specific cases.

“We undertake assessments of need for everyone presenting themselves to us as either homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“People’s medical or other needs are taken into account as part of the assessment process.

“Whenever people choose to leave accommodation that we consider to be appropriate to their assessed needs we always make it clear to them that such an action will not give them extra priority in terms of being allocated alternative accommodation.

“Most supported housing projects in the city do not accept dogs and have a waiting list due to high demand. The council has no control over this.

“We hope to be able to find accommodation for Mr Kirby in the very near future.”

Factfile

ANYONE sleeping rough, or anyone who knows someone living on the street, can call Brighton and Hove City Council’s rough sleepers street services team for help.

The staff work with support services and accommodation organisations to help people live independently.

Call 0808 168 0414 or 01273 234010. For emergencies out of office hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, contact the Brighton and Hove City Council team on 01273 294400, selecting option two and then option one.

Other organisations which can help are listed on the Brighton and Hove City Council website, brighton-hove.gov.uk.