James

Housing justice campaigner | Featured in The Guardian 📰 | Raising awareness of homelessness, failures in public service and the challenge facing prison leavers

[James @Jameshousing26]

So it seems this was all a lie from @SomersetCouncil
@AndyKeenDowns @andyburnham

[James @Jameshousing26]

🚨 HOUSING UPDATE 🚨

After weeks of fighting, countless emails, appeals and national media coverage, Somerset Council has finally agreed to provide me with interim accommodation pending the outcome of my Section 202 review.

This is a huge step forward, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me, shared my story and helped make my voice heard.

However, accommodation is still subject to availability, suitability and probation approval.

My Approved Premises placement ends tomorrow, 11 November, and I still do not have a confirmed address.

As someone living with epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags, I desperately hope that the council and probation can work together to secure somewhere safe before my discharge.

Thank you to The Guardian, The Big Issue and everyone who has stood beside me throughout this incredibly difficult journey.

The fight isn’t over yet, but for the first time in weeks, I have real hope. ❤️

#Homelessness #Somerset #PrisonLeavers #SecondChances
@SomersetCouncil @DanielMumby @Shelter @andyburnham @prisonadvice @Nacro @AndyKeenDowns @mhclg @guardian

[Inside Housing @insidehousing]

The demand for temporary accommodation isn’t going away. We need to start procuring for the long term dlvr.​it/TWGhph #ukhousing

[James @Jameshousing26]

As a medically vulnerable prison leaver facing homelessness tomorrow, I couldn’t agree more. @SomersetCouncil has agreed to provide interim accommodation, but I’m still awaiting a confirmed placement.

Temporary accommodation is vital, but long-term housing is what makes rehabilitation and second chances possible.

We need a system that helps people rebuild their lives, not one that leaves them fighting for a roof over their heads.

#Homelessness #PrisonLeavers #SecondChances

[James @Jameshousing26]

@AndyKeenDowns Appreciate it pal, @SomersetCouncil told my probation officer they’ve got accommodation sorted for me tomorrow 100% so let’s wait and see 🙏

[Andy Keen-Downs CBE @AndyKeenDowns]

Keep going James. And thank you Somerset Council.

[James @Jameshousing26]

Daniel, I’m a medically vulnerable prison leaver in Somerset facing homelessness tomorrow, 11 November. @SomersetCouncil has agreed to provide interim accommodation pending my review, but no placement has been confirmed.

My story has been covered by The Guardian and The Big Issue. With this additional funding announced, I would be grateful if you could investigate my situation and help highlight the urgent need to turn these commitments into action.

Nobody should be discharged onto the streets with epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags.

https://t.co/ZwA408bj8e

[James @Jameshousing26]

Congratulations to Shelter’s new interim chief executive.

I sincerely hope the organisation’s leadership will continue highlighting the devastating consequences of people falling through the gaps in our housing system.

I’m a medically vulnerable prison leaver in Somerset, facing street homelessness this Wednesday, 11 November. I have epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags, yet despite weeks of appeals, I still have no confirmed accommodation.

I’ve already approached Shelter and Civil Legal Advice, but neither was able to resolve my situation.

My story has now been covered by both The Guardian and The Big Issue.

I don’t need another referral that leads nowhere. I desperately need someone with the influence to help bring the relevant agencies together before I’m discharged onto the streets.

Could Inside Housing or Shelter’s new leadership help bring attention to my case?

https://t.co/ZwA408bj8e

#Homelessness #HousingCrisis #RoughSleeping

[James @Jameshousing26]

🚨 In 48 hours, I face homelessness.

I’m a medically vulnerable prison leaver with epilepsy, PTSD and electronic tags.

Somerset Council knows my situation. Still no accommodation.

Rehabilitation shouldn’t end on the streets.

https://t.co/Vo3NxHvF3g

@BigIssue #Homelessness #PrisonReform @andyburnham @SomersetCouncil

[James @Jameshousing26]

Alison, I’m one of those forgotten people. On 11 November, I face homelessness despite having epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags. I’ve pleaded with Somerset Council for help. My story is in The Guardian. Please don’t let me become another statistic.

[James @Jameshousing26]

Your government promises to prevent homelessness, yet on 11 November I face sleeping rough in Somerset. I have epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags. Despite extensive medical evidence, the council has refused emergency accommodation. Please intervene urgently.

[James @Jameshousing26]

Prime Minister, I desperately need your help. On 11 November, I face sleeping rough despite epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags. I’ve done everything asked of me, yet Somerset Council has refused emergency accommodation. Please help me.

https://t.co/Km0dO9p5AQ⁠

[James @Jameshousing26]

Prime Minister, please help me.

On 11 November, I face street homelessness despite epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags.

I’ve complied with probation and exhausted every avenue, yet Somerset Council has refused emergency accommodation.

My story appeared in The Guardian on 7 November.

Please ask your team to urgently intervene. I don’t want to become another statistic.

https://t.co/Km0dO9p5AQ

[James @Jameshousing26]

This is exactly my situation. I left prison determined to rebuild my life, but on 11 November I face homelessness despite serious medical conditions and two electronic monitoring tags.

Somerset Council has refused to recognise me as being in priority need.

My story was featured in The Guardian on 7 November. I desperately need someone to intervene before I lose my accommodation.

https://t.co/Km0dO9p5AQ

[James @Jameshousing26]

Three years later, this is still happening. I leave probation accommodation on 11 November with nowhere safe to go.

Despite epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags, Somerset Council has refused to recognise me as priority need.

I’ve exhausted every avenue, including probation and CAS3.

My story appeared in The Guardian on 7 November. Could @HomelessLink help highlight my situation before it’s too late?

[James @Jameshousing26]

I’m living the reality you’re highlighting. My probation accommodation ends on 11 November, and despite epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags, I have nowhere safe to go.

Somerset Council has refused to recognise me as priority need, and my CAS3 referral was rejected.

My case was featured in The Guardian on 7 November. Could Clinks help bring attention to this urgent situation?

[James @Jameshousing26]

Two years later, I’m living this reality. I leave probation accommodation on 11 November with nowhere to go, despite serious medical conditions and two electronic monitoring tags.

Somerset Council has refused to recognise me as priority need. Even my CAS3 referral was rejected.

I’ve done everything asked of me. Where is the support?

My story was published in The Guardian on 7 November.

https://t.co/Km0dO9p5AQ

[James @Jameshousing26]

HMPPS recognises that stable accommodation reduces reoffending. Yet I’m facing homelessness on 11 November despite complying with probation.

My CAS3 referral was rejected, and I have two electronic monitoring tags requiring accommodation to manage safely.

Who takes responsibility when resettlement support fails?

[James @Jameshousing26]

This is exactly the support I desperately needed.

I’m a prison leaver facing homelessness on 11 November. Despite epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags, my CAS3 referral was rejected.

I’ve done everything asked of me, yet I’m facing the streets.

How can rehabilitation succeed when safe accommodation remains out of reach?

[James @Jameshousing26]

With just 2 days until homelessness, I’m publicly asking Somerset Council and HM Prison and Probation Service to intervene urgently.

I have epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags.

I’ve done everything asked of me. All I need is somewhere safe to rebuild my life.

#Homelessness #Rehabilitation
@SomersetCouncil @hmpps

[James @Jameshousing26]

I left prison determined to rebuild my life. I’ve complied with probation, sought help and done everything possible to avoid homelessness.

On 11 November, my accommodation ends. Despite epilepsy, serious mental health conditions and two electronic monitoring tags, I still have nowhere safe to go.

Somerset Council has refused to recognise me as having priority need.

I am asking for urgent help, not special treatment. Rehabilitation cannot succeed without somewhere safe to live.

My story was published in The Guardian:

https://t.co/Km0dO9p5AQ

#Homelessness #PrisonReform #SecondChances