An Army veteran who spent 15 weeks camping in woodland as he waited for a home has said he wants to get on with his life. Blair Murray served in the Royal Logistics Corps for 10 years but became homeless last year after a landlord changed the locks and "emptied the house out".
From woodland to hotel
The 44-year-old then spent a period of time staying with friends before deciding to camp in woodland near Crook in County Durham while he waited for his social housing application to be processed. After weeks in the woods, Durham County Council worked with the Armed Forces Outreach Service and found him a hotel, where he is currently staying.
However, Blair is becoming frustrated with the length of time it is taking for the housing application to be processed, and feels the council is creating "obstacles". He believes he could be in limbo at the hotel for at least three months.
Frustration and waiting
"It could be a few weeks or a few months, I have no idea", Blair told ChronicleLive. "I'm still waiting to know whether I can be accepted for social housing. It's still quite depressing because I just want to get on with my life. Now I have to play the system...it's just a waiting game."
Blair says the council has been asking him for proof of his last tenancy, which was over a year ago. But he says when he was made homeless by his last private landlord, his tenancy agreement was lost in the process.
Support and fundraising
To help with Blair's situation, a GoFundMe was set up by Ian Driver, 61, of Veterans Response CIC, who has supported Blair with weekly food parcels. So far, £1,180 has been raised, and has a target of £2,400, which could go towards private rent costs if Blair is unsuccessful with his social housing application.
But due to previous bad experiences with private landlords, Blair is distrustful, and would prefer the council to help him with housing. "If I've got to rent privately then I could use those funds", Blair continued. "But I'd prefer that money to go back into helping other people who have ended up in this situation. It seems like [the council] is putting obstacles in the way...they keep finding new ways to hold me up."
Veterans Response speaks out
Ian, who has known Blair for a number of years, said he became aware he was camping in the woods after he "reached out" to Veterans Response. Ian said: "He reached out because he was hungry. He was starving. We dropped a food parcel off for him and kept meeting him for a few weeks. I just kept thinking 'this is wrong, this is crazy' for a veteran. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served his country and so to be told you can't get housing - something is wrong."
After leaving the forces in 2010, Blair struggled with alcohol and drug issues. But after putting those days behind him, Ian believes there are no reasons why Blair shouldn't be allowed housing. "He shouldn't be tainted", Ian said. "There are veterans who've been to prison and come out and got on with their lives. It shouldn't have taken 15 weeks to get the lad into a hotel."
Council response
Christopher Hepworth, Durham County Council’s homeless prevention manager, said: “We are awaiting further documents from Mr Murray, and, in the meantime, we are covering the cost of his temporary accommodation and supporting him with living expenses. As Mr Murray has requested not to be housed in private sector accommodation, we are working as quickly as possible to help him find a permanent solution that meets this requirement. Due to social housing demand, and the delays in receiving the documents, finding suitable accommodation will take time. We have visited Mr Murray and spoken to him over the phone in the last week and will continue to support him, along with veteran’s charities. We provide extensive support to help veterans find homes. Our Armed Forces Outreach Service supports serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and their families by providing practical advice and connecting them with the services and help they need within their local communities. For support, people can contact armedforcesoutreachworker@durham.gov.uk.”
Those wanting to donate to Blair's fundraiser can do so here.
