Solihull homeless man: ‘I can’t get a place anywhere in the country because of my cat’

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A homeless man forced to live in a tent in Solihull claims he isn’t being homed as he has a cat he doesn’t want to part with

Shaun Conaghan says his cat called Marley is important to him due to his mental health issues. 

The 41-year-old had lived in a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) in Hall Green for six years but said he was evicted earlier this year leaving to come to Solihull as he felt safer in the area. When Mr Congahan arrived in Solihull he slept in a tent which, for a period, he set up in Brueton Park. 

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On July 12 police left a note on the tent asking him to move on which led Mr Conoghan to set up at the Church Hill Road and Homer Road roundabout. 

“I got told to move,” Mr Conaghan said. Now I’ve got to move again – the rough sleepers team have turned up and instead of helping me have thought ‘get his tent removed’.”

Mr Congahan said “no where in the country” will house him due to Marley who he has had for seven years.

“Why are we not housing cats (with homeless people) when Britain is meant to be animal lovers,” he said.

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“I’ve been offered HMOs which don’t accept cats. I’m not being listened to. I’ve tried everyone. The cat is part of helping with my mental health. I’ve got to have money for a house, that is the only way I can be housed with her.” 

Mr Conaghan is currently being supported by Teresa Farrell who runs her wellbeing retreat ‘Push on Wellbeing (POW)’ at Lily’s Tea Parlour in Chelmsley Wood.

Teresa Farrell in the wellbeing retreat.Teresa Farrell in the wellbeing retreat.
Teresa Farrell in the wellbeing retreat. | LDRS

Set up in 2016 she feeds the homeless while offering support and also runs a second retreat at Solihull’s Touchwood Centre.

She said after meeting Mr Conaghan she emailed everyone she could think of to get him housed in July.  But Ms Farrell says she has now “hit a brick wall”. 

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“If I’m hitting it, no wonder we have homeless people,” she said. He needs to be housed tonight but no one can do that locally.”

Ms Farrell said she managed to get Mr Congahan a room through a customer at Lily’s Tea Room but this will only be temporary. 

“Shaun wants to work and benefit society,” she said. The cat is his therapy cat and helps him through the anxiety attacks he suffers.

“In Covid it was amazing, the homeless were looked after – why did it not carry on? 

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“What changed?  We are a voice for them – homeless people need to be treated with respect and dignity.

Council statement

Councillor Mark Parker, Solihull Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: Anyone reported as sleeping rough in Solihull is fully supported by our rough sleeper outreach team to enable them to access services including housing, mental health support and alcohol and drug support.

“In order to access Solihull’s social housing people need to have a local connection to the area, as set out in national homelessness legislation.

“Mr Conaghan does not have a local connection to Solihull. We have therefore offered to support him to reconnect to a neighbouring city where he lived until recently.

 “Solihull community housing has also given him advice and help with exploring private rented options in Solihull for him and his cat.”

West Midlands Police was contacted for comment.

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