Battle for a Home
FERDUSARA BEGUM ALI meets a local woman who lost her home, became a rough sleeper and then endured a year-long battle to be granted accommodation
A Hastings woman, once vibrant and socially active, has had her life changed by the harsh realities of homelessness. She moved from a stable job, permanent home, and a supportive social circle to sleeping in a tent by the sea in St. Leonards. Her journey is a poignant reminder of how quickly life can unravel. Since May 2024, she has navigated the unforgiving landscape of rough sleeping and temporary accommodations, battling not only the elements, but also the indifference found in a system designed to help her. Her story is one of loss, courage, and the unwavering hope for a brighter future in the midst of adversity.
Sudden Change
She has asked us not to use her real name so we’ll call her Pat, but she was happy to share her story. Having moved from London, she lived with a relative in Hastings for a number of years. However, after a family dispute, she was forced to leave. Now homeless, she approached Hastings Borough Council (HBC) a few days later.
During her initial interview in January 2024, she was surprised when the council deemed her not to be homeless, perhaps due to her well-dressed appearance. This dismissal left her feeling frustrated and overlooked – she had never faced such a situation before.
Fortunately, the community was far more helpful than the system. But this help came with a time limit. Pat approached the Hastings and Bexhill organisation Warming Up the Homeless and she says she was able to stay at a place called Gizmo’s. There, the charity provided her with meals and essential support when the weather turned extreme. But she says that four days was the maximum she was allowed in emergency accommodation. After that, she was forced to live out on the streets.
Safe Space
On her first night she asked local homeless people where was ‘safe’ for a woman to pitch her tent and was advised that a good place would be on the promenade along the seafront. However, she was unaware of the rising tide. Much to her despair, the next morning, her tent was swept away, leaving her distraught and disheartened. Despite these challenges, she continued to contest her case with the council.
After being faced with ‘rejection upon rejection’ from HBC as a homeless person, she found temporary relief by sofa surfing with friends, but this brought its own challenges. During one stay, she experienced financial abuse, being asked to cover utilities despite her precarious situation. Another home turned dangerous when she was attacked by a male friend while asleep, forcing her to leave that night.
From January to May 2024, she faced a relentless cycle of sofa surfing and sleeping rough. Each time she approached the council for assistance, she was met with suggestions to relocate back to London or move to Bexhill, Eastbourne, or Brighton, despite her deep connection to Hastings, where she had previously volunteered for the Hastings Herring Fair Festival, had built a rapport with the community and had been featured in the local newspaper.
Finding Hope
She says that just when she was about to give in to despair, a small voice within her urged her to persist in Hastings. She continued moving from place to place, spending a few nights sofa surfing at a friend’s place, and spending one night a week at Gizmo’s. There Pat met a nurse who worked for the Rough Sleepers Initiative in Hastings. This woman, her ‘saving grace’, became her advocate, and helped her navigate the complex system, ultimately leading to a phone call from the council in May 2024, offering her temporary accommodation in an HMO (House of Multiple Occupation).
Even after securing this she faced new challenges. Living with other tenants often led to conflicts over minor issues, further straining her mental health. And, she says, HBC continued to question her eligibility for permanent re-housing, describing it as ‘invalid’. The ongoing correspondence from the local authority added to her anxiety, and she felt constantly scrutinised. When she tried to appeal, she was told her case would be reviewed by an external organisation in London, which would assess her situation on behalf of HBC. Unfortunately their decision echoed the same concerns and dismissals she had faced before, leaving her feeling trapped and unheard. However, with renewed strength and improved mental health, she compiled the necessary evidence, which she says ultimately contributed to the council recognising her situation.
In November 2024, after nearly a year of struggle, she finally received confirmation from HBC that they would provide full temporary accommodation until they could find her permanent housing.
Looking back, Pat feels her long and arduous journey highlights the systemic challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as the resilience and determination needed to navigate such a difficult chapter in life.
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