“I’m an ambulance worker and I’ve been forced to sleep in my car - because I can't afford rent"
SWNS
2023-11-06
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An NHS ambulance worker has been forced to live and sleep in his car at work because he can't afford rent.
Bogumil Kusiba, 54, struggled to find an affordable room to rent after he was told his landlord was selling up in September.
He had no other option but to sleep in his silver Volkswagon Fox – staying in his work’s car park in Barnehurst, Bexley, as it is safer than the streets.
He sleeps by reclining the front seat and covering himself in three blankets and three thick coats to stay warm.
Bogumil, who works for the London Ambulance Service maintaining and replenishing the equipment, said: “I am so desperate to get out of my car.
“I have a roof but it is not the same as having a room. I can put my seat all the way back but it is not a bed.
“People are surprised when I tell them I am homeless because I have a job, I am washed and my clothes are clean.
“It could happen to anybody. There is no t-shirt to declare we are homeless, it is not necessarily obvious to see.
“I used to be homeless but I managed to find a job and a spare room. It was a long time ago. I never thought I would be in that situation again.”
The NHS worker couldn’t find an affordable new place to move into as he needed to pay the first month’s rent and a deposit upfront – totalling almost £2,000 in some cases.
Bogumil said: “I do not have the money for both. It was unfortunate timing as it was also an expensive month for me with other bills.”
Since living in his car, he said his employers have been supporting him and he has been able to use the office’s microwave, showers and communal facilities.
A friend is letting him use the washing machine to wash his clothes and he is storing his belongings with another.
Bogumil, who has lived in Gravesham on and off for the past 30 years, did contact the council for help when he became homeless and has continued to apply for spare rooms.
He said he was not offered temporary accommodation because he is single and has no children so is not a top priority.
He said: “I am so angry with the lack of communication, it does not seem to bother anyone that I am living in my car.
“The system is against me, it has been a mission to get this far.
“I am getting some support but it is not enough, I am still living in my car.
“On paper, I am at the bottom of the priority list. I understand other people come as a higher priority if they have children but I am not asking for a palace, just a bed.”
He has been told he could apply for a discretionary payment to help cover the cost of the rent – but only once he had secured a place to live.
Gravesham council’s cabinet member for housing services, Cllr Jenny Wallace, said: “We are extremely sorry for the situation Mr Kusiba finds himself in.
"Sadly, with the cost of living crisis hitting hard in recent months, it is the type of awful situation all too many individuals and families are facing.
Bogumil Kusiba, 54, struggled to find an affordable room to rent after he was told his landlord was selling up in September.
He had no other option but to sleep in his silver Volkswagon Fox – staying in his work’s car park in Barnehurst, Bexley, as it is safer than the streets.
He sleeps by reclining the front seat and covering himself in three blankets and three thick coats to stay warm.
Bogumil, who works for the London Ambulance Service maintaining and replenishing the equipment, said: “I am so desperate to get out of my car.
“I have a roof but it is not the same as having a room. I can put my seat all the way back but it is not a bed.
“People are surprised when I tell them I am homeless because I have a job, I am washed and my clothes are clean.
“It could happen to anybody. There is no t-shirt to declare we are homeless, it is not necessarily obvious to see.
“I used to be homeless but I managed to find a job and a spare room. It was a long time ago. I never thought I would be in that situation again.”
The NHS worker couldn’t find an affordable new place to move into as he needed to pay the first month’s rent and a deposit upfront – totalling almost £2,000 in some cases.
Bogumil said: “I do not have the money for both. It was unfortunate timing as it was also an expensive month for me with other bills.”
Since living in his car, he said his employers have been supporting him and he has been able to use the office’s microwave, showers and communal facilities.
A friend is letting him use the washing machine to wash his clothes and he is storing his belongings with another.
Bogumil, who has lived in Gravesham on and off for the past 30 years, did contact the council for help when he became homeless and has continued to apply for spare rooms.
He said he was not offered temporary accommodation because he is single and has no children so is not a top priority.
He said: “I am so angry with the lack of communication, it does not seem to bother anyone that I am living in my car.
“The system is against me, it has been a mission to get this far.
“I am getting some support but it is not enough, I am still living in my car.
“On paper, I am at the bottom of the priority list. I understand other people come as a higher priority if they have children but I am not asking for a palace, just a bed.”
He has been told he could apply for a discretionary payment to help cover the cost of the rent – but only once he had secured a place to live.
Gravesham council’s cabinet member for housing services, Cllr Jenny Wallace, said: “We are extremely sorry for the situation Mr Kusiba finds himself in.
"Sadly, with the cost of living crisis hitting hard in recent months, it is the type of awful situation all too many individuals and families are facing.
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