Council issues warning about sleeping on streets as a Birmingham family live in a bus shelter

Birmingham’s homeless issues have been laid bare as a family have been pictured living in a disused bus shelter.

Destiny Mitchell has told how she and her boyfriend and mum prefer to stay in the glass and metal shelter in Selly Oak because they fear living alongside drug addicts in temporary housing. 

The 26-year-old, who has autism, lives in the disused bus stop on Bristol Road with boyfriend Ryan, 31, and her 44-year-old mum. However Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has told the family that the bus stop is due to be relocated as it is no longer in use.

Destiny explained further that Birmingham City Council offered her family temporary accommodation, but she does not want to be separated from her mum who also has autism. 

The council has reacted by outlining the dangers of sleeping on the streets and said that its officers are continuing to work with the family to find a long term solution for their needs for a home.

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Meanwhile it is believed that no other homeless people are living in any of the 5,000 bus shelters across the region as Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) says it is in contact with agencies who are working to find secure suitable long term accommodation for the family.

Destiny and her mum and boyfriend have tried to give the graffiti-covered shelter home comforts with a carpet, drawers and even an old pair of Super Mario curtains where the timetables were once displayed.

Birmingham City Council issues a warning about sleeping on the streets

The council has told BirminghamWorld how their officers are continuing to work with the family to find them a long term solution to their housing situation. The authority has also issued a stark warning about sleeping on the streets.

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: "Sleeping on the streets is not safe nor sustainable and we would not want to see anyone living in these conditions which is why we have been working with partners and the couple in question to find alternatives.

“Unfortunately these offers of support have not yet been taken up but we continue to work with them and would strongly encourage them to consider the offers available and work with us to find a long-term solution. We would also encourage anyone concerned about someone sleeping rough to report this on the Streetlink website - https://thestreetlink.org.uk/”

Transport for West Midlands reacts to family living in a disused bus shelter

TfWM says it is unaware of any other families living in any of its 5,000 bus shelters across the region. It also explains that it does not demolish shelters, instead they are removed when they are no longer in use.

A spokesperson for TfWM said: “All bus services have been consolidated at a neighbouring shelter so this one is no longer required and it has therefore been earmarked for removal.

“In the meantime we are in contact with partner organisations including the police, city council and local housing providers, who are working to secure suitable long-term accommodation for the family involved. We thank the local community for their patience while the issue is resolved.”