Destiny Mitchell is homeless and has turned a bus stop into a temporary home on the Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham (Picture: SWNS)
A couple has been forced to live inside a bus stop – for seven months – only illustrating Britain’s homelessness crisis.
The disused space in Bristol Road, Selly Oak, is furnished with cupboards, chairs, bins, and Super Mario Bros-themed makeshift curtains.
Destiny Mitchell is one of the people living there. The 26-year-old was pictured in the crammed space where she is having to live in.
Support charity Trident Reach said it was working with them to find ‘appropriate accommodation’, but that they had so far refused offers.
It is understood that the couple does not want to relocate if it means having to be separated.
But the stop is not in use and is due to be removed, meaning that power supply will be disconnected.
Destiny is one of the tens of thousands of people homeless in Birmingham (Picture: SWNS)
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) confirmed the process to knock down the shelter was ‘under way’, including securing road work permits and scheduling work with contractors.
Birmingham is in the grip of a housing crisis with more than 23,000 households waiting for a property.
This includes nearly 5,000 households who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation.
Businesses in the area claimed the bus stop is attracting ‘anti-social behaviour’ from crowds gathering late at night.
One shopkeeper, who wished to remain anonymous, said his livelihood was being affected.
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She and her partner have turned the bus stop into shelter (Picture: SWNS)
He said: I’ve complained to the council so many times but nothing has been done so far. People are scared to visit my shop at night because of the crowds.
‘Every night 20 to 25 people gather here. This is bothering my business.
‘I even phoned police two or three times, but they don’t seem to care. I am paying £6,000 in business rates for the year and £20,000 in rent. It’s a big problem for me – but what can I do?’
Another shopkeeper appealed to authorities to get the couple a place to live.
They added: ‘It is very sad situation, of course, but the anti-social behaviour is affecting us and our customers. Something needs to be done so they’re given a proper place to stay.
Some of her belongings in the stop (Picture: SWNS)
‘It’s not fair to anyone what’s happening at the moment. We need to find a solution that suits everyone.’
Birmingham City Council confirmed the bus shelter on Bristol Road was no longer in use for passengers and ‘will be removed soon’ but no date had been set.
A council spokesperson said: ‘Homeless support services have contacted the couple and made accommodation offers.
‘The offers have not yet been taken up, but the offer of support and accommodation will continue to be there should they change their mind.’
A spokesperson for Trident Reach said: ‘Our teams are aware of the couple and have been trying to work with them to find appropriate accommodation.
‘Unfortunately they have declined accommodation as it is currently not in the area they would prefer.
‘We will always work with people to encourage them into appropriate housing but unfortunately sometimes people do decline help.
‘We will continue our daily checks on the couple and continue with offers of housing support and options for them.’
Trident said staff worked ‘closely’ with police but that it was ‘unaware of any concerns regarding anti-social behaviour’, adding: ‘We would always encourage anyone concerned about someone sleeping rough to report their concerns to us using Streetlink.’
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