Bexhill brothers beg to stay in childhood home

Roy and Kevin Newport, of Putlands Crescent, were told they would have to leave their AmicusHorizon home five days after their mother died.

This tragedy left them with a spare room and according to the housing association’s policy, the brothers must move out with the likelihood of staying in the town unknown.

Kevin, 57, has been living at the house since he was six-years-old and said he does not want to leave.

“It all started off about five days ago after our mother’s death,” he said.

“Now we have got to get out but we think it’s dreadful having to leave.

“We’re trying every alternative but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

The pair lost their father Ernie in 1986 and their mum Margaret died on January 14.

The house was in their mother’s name so they have no right to it.

The letter informing them they would be relocated said they would have be out by Sunday (February 28) but that has now been pushed back.

Where they will go is unknown, as the brothers will be put on a housing list, but they want to stay in Bexhill if they can.

Kevin and Roy, 68, are waiting as long as possible before they hand in the last piece of paperwork because they are desperate not to leave.

“It’s probably in this area but nothing’s been offered yet as we haven’t put in the last form,” he said.

“We have to do it by the end of the week.

“They’ve given us a bit longer as they haven’t actually set a time but after we put in this last form, they will start.

“But that’s why we don’t want to put it in as we’re not ready.”

Their neighbour, Linda Busbridge, thinks it is ‘really unfair’ to make them leave regardless of how long they have lived there.

“They are devastated to lose their mum and now they have to lose their home too,” she said.

“I think they have been really unfair and unsympathetic.

Kevin said their district councillor has tried to help them to no avail but he hopes something will change and they can stay.

“This is our home and we don’t want to go but they are forcing us out,” he said.

“It’s not very good but they just said it’s their ‘policy’.”

A spokesperson for AmicusHorizon, said: “We completely sympathise with Mr Newport and his brother at this difficult time.

“We have not put a time frame on Mr Newport and his brother leaving this property.

“Our staff are doing all they can to find them another tenancy with us and offer alternative, suitable accommodation that meet their needs.

“Currently there are 236 families desperately in need of a three bedroom home on the housing register of the local authorities in Rother and Hastings.

“There is clearly a shortage of larger homes in the local area and we have to make best use of our homes to help meet the housing crisis.”

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