Dying man faces being evicted by Milton Keynes Council

A terminally ill pensioner whose wish is to die with dignity at home has been threatened with EVICTION by Milton Keynes Council.

Vietnam war veteran Robert Lee has end-stage kidney failure and doctors have given him only months to live.

He has lived alone in his three-bedroom Conniburrow house for 30 years.

But this month a senior housing officer told him he must leave or the council will launch legal proceeding.

“I don’t understand it. The council can have the house back as soon as I die – which won’t be long. Why do I have to leave now?” said the former soldier, who served 15 years with the Foreign Legion.

The house was originally subject to a joint tenancy with Mr Lee’s former partner. She left many years ago but only signed to quit the tenancy earlier this year.

Now the council says the house is too big for Mr Lee and he must move to a smaller property.

The housing officer wrote to him last month stating: “No tenancy of licence exists giving you permission to be there.”

The council says Mr Lee had turned down a number of offers to exchange to a small flat “more suitable to his needs.”

But Mr Lee said: “I’ve told them I’m dying. Why would I want to uproot myself now?

“I want to die here, in the place that has been my home for 30 years.”

A council spokesman told the Citizen they would “continue to work” with Mr Lee.

It is understood the housing officer’s threat was incorrect and Mr Lee DOES still have a legal tenancy.

The council spokesman continued: “We are keen to continue to work with Mr Lee to determine whether a solution can be found. He has been receiving a social care package for some years so we’re aware his home is not suitable.”

MK Council warned Mr Lee on October 4 that they would go to court to apply for possession of his home if he did not agree to move to an alternative property.

Mr Lee has asked for social services for more help due to his declining health. He says he is still awaiting an assessment. The council denies this.

A council spokesman said there were many homeless families in MK “desperately” in need of housing, and Mr Lee had refused a purpose-built adapted bungalow.

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