A homeless man claims he does not feel safe living in a Huddersfield hotel being used as temporary accommodation.
The man, who does not want to be named, says he was placed in the Old Golf House Hotel at Outlane around six months ago by Kirklees Council after becoming homeless.
He expected to be there no longer than 90 days but says he has been there almost six months and he is desperate to get away. For the first few months, he said the accommodation was a calm environment, but more recently he said there had been several violent incidents that had left him worried and wanting to get away. Local householders have also raised their concerns about crime incidents.
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He claimed there had been fights in the hotel corridors and trouble in the car park that resulted in the police attending. He says a man forced his way into his room and put their hand around his neck during an attack which left him shaken.
He says he was so frightened that he ‘barricaded’ himself in his room by placing chairs and a cupboard against the door. The man claimed the hotel has a problem with “thuggery” and he no longer feels safe.
He said: “I was supposed to be in there for no longer than 90 days. I have been in there for coming up to six months. My mental health hasn’t been helped at all.”
He added: “It’s got rough – with the fighting. I have barricaded myself in my room.”
He described his life in the hotel as “hell on earth”.
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Asked why, he said: “I don’t like trouble and fighting. My social worker said it is very difficult to find supported accommodation.
“I would not go out of my room after 10pm. Truthfully, I don’t feel safe.”
He isn’t looking forward to spending Christmas at the hotel, saying: “I am thinking to myself that it will be the worst Christmas ever. I am going to be stuck in there.”
Householders living near the accommodation in New Hey Road have raised their concerns about the hotel with local councillors and their MP.
One resident who lives nearby said: “About a month ago I was woken at midnight by a man and woman screaming outside. It is a bit of a nightmare. I also saw a man walking around without any shoes on. He looked delirious.”
(Image: viamichelin.co.uk)
Another resident said his wife had complained to her MP about various issues relating to the hotel, including late-night shouting and incidents that led to police attending.
A small group of Outlane residents met on Wednesday night in the village to discuss the issues. A man who attended, who did not want to be named, said: “We discussed organising a public meeting. Residents want to know what’s going on as well feel we are being kept in the dark.
“We are going to organise a public meeting and invite councillors, MPs, the police and the hotel owner.”
YorkshireLive has approached Kirklees Council for comment on the claims made by the hotel resident.
Last week the local authority issued a statement to say it was working with West Yorkshire Police to make sure temporary accommodation sites “don’t impact the safety of residents.”
The statement from Councillor Moses Crook, Kirklees Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways, said: “It’s a particularly difficult time to be homeless in Kirklees, with harsh weather and temperatures frequently below freezing.
“As an authority and as a community, we are always committed to supporting people who are struggling with homelessness, but in winter months this support becomes more vital than ever.
“We are working closely with local police and our Safer Kirklees team to make sure any temporary accommodation sites don’t impact the safety of local residents. There will be more patrols and community engagement over the coming months to support local people and tackle any issues with crime and antisocial behaviour.
“Regardless of anyone’s situation, we want Kirklees to be a place where all of our residents can be safe, and this will remain our priority.”
The hotel could not be reached for comment.
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