A man who sleeps on his mother's living room floor has said there is not enough support for homeless people. High deposits and a low credit score mean Damo Buxton from Stoke-on-Trent has been unable to afford private rented accommodation, despite earning up to £2,500 a month. The level of homelessness in the West Midlands has reached a record high, according to a charity working to help rough sleepers. A recent report by Shelter found the number of people sleeping rough or living in temporary accommodation in the region rose by 18% between 2023 and 2024, to about 28,200. The charity estimated 39 people were sleeping rough across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, but warned the figure could be far greater. Trevor Bailey, who helps Shelter record the numbers, said the data did not give a true reflection of the problem because only people bedded down on the floor could be counted. According to the Office for National Statistics, the average monthly private rent in Stoke-on-Trent rose to £669 in April 2025, an annual increase of 12.4%. Mr Buxton, who works at electrical retailer AO, said he could not afford the deposits required by private landlords. He had never taken out a loan and so did not have a credit score, he said. He added some social landlords had refused to take him because he had a dog, and did not want to give it away. He unexpectedly became homeless after being evicted from a friend's house following a disagreement over bills, he said. "I'm a 36-year-old man. At the end of the day, I should be standing on my own two feet," he said. He added it was difficult for people in his situation to get any help from the authorities. He said: "If you're a working person like myself who doesn't have any drug addictions, I find they just [say], 'it's ok, he's not a vulnerable person'." Izzy Longmore faced a similar situation when a relationship breakdown meant she ended up sleeping in her car in a village on the Staffordshire border. She said she had been denied housing support because she was earning £1,000 a month, and ended up running out of sofa-surfing options. The 29-year-old said she felt there was a stigma to being homeless and she had kept it secret from her family. "I didn't want to put that guilt on them by basically saying, 'if you don't help me I'm going to be homeless'," she explained. "It was like a sense of pride, I guess." She was later helped by a housing association, but has since faced further financial issues after being made redundant. Charity bosses said people could become homeless for a variety of reasons, adding that visible homelessness had reached a crisis point. According to Shelter, the number of people in the West Midlands recorded as either living in temporary accommodation or rough sleeping increased by more than 4,000 between 2023 and 2024. The figures do not include hidden homelessness. Shelter said Birmingham had the highest number of people in the region affected - with 18,300 people homeless - followed by 3,500 in Coventry and 770 in Sandwell. A spokesperson for the charity said it could help if people were homeless, had nowhere to stay tonight, were at risk of abuse or harm at home or were worried about losing their home in the next two months. Details of its emergency helpline wereavailable on its website, along with advice on those topics which they said had helped other people. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire onBBC Sounds,Facebook,XandInstagram.
'I'm in full-time work but I'm homeless'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Homelessness Crisis in West Midlands Affects Working Individuals"
Bbc News
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
Damo Buxton, a 36-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent, finds himself homeless despite being in full-time employment. He currently sleeps on his mother's living room floor due to his inability to secure private rented accommodation. High deposits and a low credit score, which he attributes to never having taken out a loan, have prevented him from accessing the housing market. Although he earns up to £2,500 a month working at an electrical retailer, the escalating cost of housing in the West Midlands complicates his situation further. The average monthly rent in Stoke-on-Trent rose to £669 in April 2025, marking a significant annual increase. Buxton's challenges are compounded by a refusal from some social landlords to accommodate him because he owns a dog, which he is unwilling to give up. His homelessness stemmed from an eviction after a disagreement over bills with a friend, leaving him feeling frustrated and unsupported by local authorities. He expressed that those in his position often do not receive adequate help, as they are perceived as not being 'vulnerable' enough to qualify for assistance.
Izzy Longmore, a 29-year-old woman, faced a similar plight following a relationship breakdown that led her to sleep in her car. Despite earning £1,000 a month, she was denied housing support and soon exhausted her options for sofa-surfing. Longmore highlighted the stigma associated with being homeless, which led her to keep her situation hidden from her family to avoid placing guilt on them. After receiving help from a housing association, she has continued to confront financial difficulties, exacerbated by recent redundancy. The situation in the West Midlands is alarming, with a report from Shelter indicating an 18% increase in homelessness in the region from 2023 to 2024, amounting to around 28,200 individuals in temporary accommodation or sleeping rough. As the charity emphasizes, the figures may not fully capture the extent of the issue, particularly regarding hidden homelessness. The crisis is most severe in Birmingham, where 18,300 individuals are reported as homeless, and the need for effective support and intervention is more urgent than ever.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a compelling narrative about the struggles of individuals facing homelessness despite being employed. It sheds light on the systemic issues contributing to homelessness, particularly focusing on the experiences of Damo Buxton and others in similar situations. The piece is likely intended to raise awareness about the inadequacies in support for the homeless, emphasizing that even working individuals can find themselves in precarious living situations.
Social Awareness and Public Perception
By highlighting the plight of homeless individuals who are also part of the workforce, the article aims to challenge common stereotypes about homelessness. It seeks to create empathy and understanding among readers, urging them to recognize that homelessness is not solely a result of personal failings or lifestyle choices. It attempts to communicate that significant barriers exist, such as high rents and insufficient support from social services, which contribute to the homelessness crisis.
Possible Concealment of Broader Issues
While the article addresses critical issues surrounding homelessness, it may also divert attention from broader systemic failures, such as housing policy failures, economic inequality, and the lack of affordable housing. The focus on individual stories might overshadow the need for comprehensive policy reform and collective solutions.
Manipulative Elements
The narrative could be seen as somewhat manipulative if it selectively presents facts to evoke emotional responses without thoroughly exploring the complexities of homelessness. The use of personal stories serves to humanize the issue but could also lead readers to draw conclusions based solely on individual experiences rather than a wider analysis of societal trends.
Truthfulness of the Report
The information presented appears to be grounded in genuine accounts and statistics, making it relatively reliable. However, the portrayal of individual experiences might not represent the entire spectrum of homelessness, thus necessitating a cautious interpretation of the data.
Societal Impact
This article could have significant implications for public policy and community responses to homelessness. It may inspire advocacy for increased funding for homeless services, more affordable housing initiatives, and the reevaluation of social support systems. Discussions around this topic could influence local governments to take more proactive measures in addressing homelessness.
Target Audience
The report likely resonates with community members, social advocates, and policymakers. It aims to engage those who may not be directly affected by homelessness but are sympathetic to social justice issues and the need for systemic change.
Market Reactions
In terms of financial markets, the article might influence sectors related to housing, social services, and non-profit organizations. Companies focused on affordable housing solutions could see increased interest or investment as awareness of the homelessness crisis grows.
Global Context
While the article primarily addresses a local issue, it reflects a global trend where housing crises and economic disparities lead to increased homelessness. This issue is increasingly relevant in discussions about urban development, economic policy, and social welfare.
Use of AI in Reporting
It is unlikely that AI was directly involved in writing this article, as the personal narratives suggest a human touch. However, AI tools could have been used in data gathering or analysis to provide statistics on homelessness, which may have influenced the framing of the story.
Conclusion
The article serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for societal and governmental action on homelessness. By presenting the struggles of individuals like Damo Buxton, it invites readers to confront the realities of homelessness and consider their roles in supporting systemic change.