Summary
Damo Buxton, who is employed full-time, is homeless and sleeps on his mother's floor because he can't afford housing deposits due to a low credit score and a pet dog. The West Midlands faces high homelessness rates, with a charity reporting a significant rise in people without stable housing. Several people, like Buxton, struggle to get help due to income or other circumstances.
Key Facts
- Damo Buxton earns up to £2,500 a month but cannot afford a home due to high deposits and low credit score.
- The average rent in Stoke-on-Trent rose to £669 a month in April 2025.
- Homelessness in the West Midlands increased by 18% between 2023 and 2024.
- Shelter reported about 28,200 people in temporary or no accommodation in the region.
- In Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, about 39 people were sleeping rough.
- Social landlords have refused Damo Buxton because he owns a dog, which he does not want to give up.
- Izzy Longmore became homeless after a relationship breakdown, ending up sleeping in her car.
- Birmingham has the highest homelessness in the region, with 18,300 people affected.
