WHEN plans to start a new life in France fell apart during the pandemic, Nick Blake was left with nowhere else to turn. He, his wife and their six children became homeless back in Manchester.
They shared a room in a hostel.
They hopped around from hotel to hotel for several weeks. Eventually, they were found a four-bedroom house in Moston.
It is classed as temporary accommodation. But after almost two-anda-half years, the family-of-eight is still there.
"The kids are struggling and we're all stressed," Nick said. "It's impacting all of us. We want to move out, but it's taking so long."
The family is on Manchester's housing register. They've been told they're likely to be waiting for four years for a suitable property. They're not alone.
Thousands of families could be waiting far longer.
As of July 15, the city had a waiting list of 17,532 households.
A recent report from the town hall suggests Mancunians with a 'band two' housing need the most common of five bands - who need a fourbedroom home are facing a wait of more than 10 years.
Nick's children were four of the 4,243 living in temporary accommodation across Manchester at the end of March this year, according to new figures from housing charity Shelter.
It means that roughly one in 30 of the city's kids are facing insecure accommodation.
Across the whole of Greater Manchester, the figure is around onein-85, with 7,679 children living in temporary accommodation at the end of March this year.
Nick, originally from Bristol, moved to Greater Manchester in 2007 when he left the army. He met his Mancunian wife, settled in south Manchester and worked a number of jobs as a chef, gardener and handyman.
The family rented a Southway Housing Trust property in Chorlton for five years before moving to France in September 2021.
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2024-utgaven av MEN on Sunday.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2024-utgaven av MEN on Sunday.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Ronaldo hints at retirement - in two years
CRISTIANO Ronaldo says he has not set any plans for retirement but hinted it could come within the next two years.
Carsley's focus on getting job done
INTERIM England boss Lee Carsley is focused on getting the job done by sealing Nations League promotion with victory against the Republic of Ireland in his final match before handing over to Thomas Tuchel.
Selfish parking has driven me to despair
Wheelchair user tells of 'disgust'
Death threats made to medic
A WOMAN banged on the window and shouted death threats at a terrified paramedic who locked themselves in their car after she turned violent during an ugly row with a neighbour.
Street fight captured on CCTV
HORROR footage has shown the moment a fight involving masked thugs erupted on a residential street in Prestwich on Tuesday (November 12).
'He should have had to sit there in that courtroom'
Teenager allegedly sexually abused by man who took his own life speaks out on how she can now move forward.
Town's top cop taking on off-road bikes Interchange
New district Commander makes dealing with scourge one of his first priorites.
Funding for 600 new sustainable homes
MANCHESTER council leaders have approved further funding of £5.1m to advance four new developments by its own company This City to the planning submission stage.
Dad, 50, suffered a sore throat-two days later he died
Family tells of their complete shock and devastation
Demand doubled but we nearly had to close
Foodbank Humans MCR supports 400 families weekly across Manchester but has suffered due to a lack of funding
