A family from Clitheroe need to find a new home as the council are selling the house they’re living in, leaving them in fear of homelessness.

Keith Lavender, 33, and his partner, 21, their six-week-old son, have been living in his grandmother’s house on Montague Street since last November.

In February, Keith’s grandmother, 84, who suffers with dementia had a stroke and was moved into a care home where she has resided since. 

Last month, the council told Keith that they were selling the house to cover the cost of care which means the couple and their newborn baby have just months to find a new home.

However, the situation is causing the family "lots of stress and worrying" as Keith was informed that the waiting list for social housing is two years, so the other alternative is the private rented sector.

Keith said: “It’s been very stressful. Trying to find a private landlord is impossible. I don’t drive so a lot of the spare money we had is going on public transport and taxis to these house viewings.

“One private landlord I spoke to said he has a waiting list of 200 people. We contemplated saving up enough to buy a house but that’s not possible for us with the prices of houses now.

“My parents don’t have a spare room for us and my partner is from Coventry so the only other option is to move back down there but that would cost me my job.”

He says he has viewed around 14 different houses so far but they have either had someone put an offer in before then, or the houses are too over budget.

Keith added: “One house we viewed with a private landlord had 67 other applicants.

“A two bed house in Whalley costs around £1,100 to £1,800 and with the amount I earn a month, it wouldn’t even cover the bills. I would be skipping meals.”

Ribble Valley Council offered to put them in emergency accommodation in a hostel but Keith is concerned about raising a newborn baby in an area surrounded by “people who are rehabilitated and police cars always outside”.

A spokesperson for Onward Homes, the housing association that manages the council’s waiting list, said: “Mr Lavender is clearly in a very difficult situation and this must be a very stressful time for him.

"There is lots of demand for affordable housing in Ribble Valley, and across the country, and we will always do our best to meet the needs of people applying for a home. 

"We have not yet received an application from Mr Lavender to be considered for social housing.

"We encourage Mr Lavender to apply so that we can look at the options available to him and his family and we can support him in preparing his application.”

A Ribble Valley Borough Council spokesman added: “We are sorry to hear about Mr Lavender’s situation. 

"We would advise that Mr Lavender contacts Ribble Valley Borough Council Housing Services at housing@ribblevalley.gov.uk and we will support Mr Lavender.  Should temporary accommodation be required, we will ensure that this is suitable.

“Any questions relating to Mr Lavender’s grandmother’s property, or the costs of her care should be directed to Lancashire County Council.”