Hostels from hell: the âsupported housingâ that blights Birmingham
The private hostels are meant to care for vulnerable homeless people. But as crime soars, users suffer and neighbours despair, questions are being asked
Residents of Stockland Green in Birmingham say fly-tipping and other anti-social behaviours have risen along with the spread of unmonitored private hostels in the area.
Residents of Stockland Green in Birmingham say fly-tipping and other anti-social behaviours have risen along with the spread of unmonitored private hostels in the area.
Sun 27 Jun 2021 02.00 EDT
Ela Sozeri felt hopeful when she was sent to a privately owned hostel in Birmingham, where support staff promised to help get her life back on track. She dreams of one day setting up her own craft business but has been held back by mental health problems and spells of homelessness. Yet her stay soon turned into a terrifying ordeal, which left her and her boyfriend cowering in their rooms in fear.