"Many Photos" - Father reveals he's forced to live in a TENT with his son because he can't afford rent

Viewers of BBC's Broke last night were shocked by a father and son who have to live in tents, despite working up to 60 hours a week.

After being made redundant five months ago, Steve, 50, from Hastings, lost his home, and has been forced to take on a zero-hours contract job on a hop farm. 

He and his tree surgeon son, Billy, who is also a casual worker, have been turned down for a council house and because of low pay and the uncertainty of their hours, they can't afford to pay rent.

With the cost of living rising, and one third of British workers having less than £500 in savings, the series follows nine families during a critical year as their financial future hangs in the balance. 

Viewers of the show were horrified and couldn't believe their living conditions, with some admitting it was the 'most depressing thing they had watched.'

Steve and his son Billy, from Hastings, have to live in tents after Steve lost his job and then they lost their home

When they were first homeless they hoped that the council would help them but quickly realised that it would take time to get a house and set up home on the beach, in tents. Now they have moved into a woodland area - at the back of a friends house

Viewers thought that their situation was sad and said that some, who work, are no better of than those who are unemployed 

Many people tweeted their shock at how they are living, with one writing: 'How sad that people are working 60 - 65 hours a week and they’re sleeping in tents or worrying they may lose their homes. Some are no better off than the unemployed #Broke'.

While another said: 'Nobody should be forced to sleep in a tent because they cannot secure full-time work through no fault of their own.' 

'These beach guys are willing to work and they do yet live in tents while loads of scroungers sign on and get free houses makes no sense,' said another.

Meanwhile, a viewer also said the show was,' the most depressing thing I have ever watched.'

Viewers of the show were horrified and couldn't believe that despite working they were living in tents and admitted it was the 'most depressing thing they had watched

Steve admitted he couldn't believe the situation he's been left in, saying: 'I'm 50 years old and living in a tent - I would rather be in a house without a doubt.'

When they first became homeless, they hoped that the council would help them, but quickly realised that it would take time to get a house. 

They set up home on the beach in tents as a temporary measure. Five months on they have moved into a woodland area - at the back of a friends house. 

Billy said of his father: 'It upsets me about where he was to where he is now - and he hasn't really done anything to deserve it.' 

Both are casual workers, on zero hour contracts. Steve originally took what he could find, with occasional shifts in a pub. 

He now works through an agency and regularly does 10 hours a day, six days a week on a hop farm - but from week to week his hours aren't secure.

Talking about his job, he said: 'I hate it, I hate the job – but if you don’t take this job then someone else will.' 

When they were first homeless Steve (left) and Billy (right) they hoped that the council would help them but quickly realised that it would take time to get a house and set up home on the beach, in tents

Billy said that it is nice waking up to birds in the morning but it does get 'a bit annoying sometimes'

Later on in the show Steve (right) misses work as he sleeps in and he gets sacked as they thing he's unreliable - which puts extra strain on him and his son.

Showing us round their campsite on the programme, Billy said: 'This is my bit of luxury. I've also got an old X-box in the hope that I'll get a telly.'

He went on to say about his living conditions: 'It's nice waking up to birds in the morning, but it does get a bit annoying sometimes.' 

Billy works as a tree surgeon, but also never knows how much work he will get every week, and has to survive on £500 a month sometimes.  

The pair applied for social housing, but realised how many properties are unavailable in their local area. 

To rent privately, they would need to raise £1500 between them for a deposit and the first months rent. 

Later on in the show, it's revealed that Steve has been sacked for being unreliable after missing work because he slept in - which puts extra strain on him and his son. 

The BBC show Broke is the reality of people on the bread line - the father and son have to clean their teeth outside their tents in a forest

Billy says that it's nice waking up to birds in the morning but 'it does get a bit annoying sometime'

 

link
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/father-reveals-hes-forced-to-live-in-a-tent-with-his-son-because-he-cant-afford-rent/
News Photo Father reveals he's forced to live in a TENT with his son because he can't afford rent
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