A disabled man from Swindon is terrified of leaving and entering his flat after being given first-floor accommodation that he says is unsuitable for him.

David Loveday, 66 was recently offered an apartment in Kingsbury House on Kingsbury Square in Melksham by Wiltshire Council.

It was unfurnished and had two flights of stairs despite him specifically requesting a furnished ground-floor flat because his severe arthritis prevented him from being able to furnish it or access it without fear of badly hurting himself and is even afraid to go to the shops.

David said: “Every step is painful. I am scared to fall down them because that would be a really bad accident.

“I know I am going to tumble, it is going to happen. It is painful all the time, I am scared to what to the shops.

“My mental health is gone, I am right on the edge, I have had enough. I just want to have a roof over my head and to be safe. I could be walking down at any time and my hip could go, it is ridiculous."

He says that when he told Wiltshire Council that he was unable to move into the flat because of his mobility, they simply refused to find him an alternative place to live.

Having had to pay for hotels out of his own pocket and having no where to live, David reluctantly accepted the flat he had been offered and moved in on Monday, January 8.

Cllr Phil Alford, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “We are not able to comment on individual circumstances.

“We provide unfurnished temporary accommodation to any client or household in which a homeless duty has been accepted.

"We do appreciate the difficulties that some families have in regard to sourcing furniture when it is not readily available, so we would always refer them to local charities who are able to deliver essential furniture in emergency situations. 

"There is also the ability to apply for a local welfare provision crisis support for those on benefit."

Cllr Alford also explained that a tenancy support officer is there to support those looking for a home and ensure individual needs are met. A suitability assessment is carried out to ensure the accommodation is appropriate.