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A SEVERELY-ILL man who asked to be rehoused because he claims his neighbourhood is too noisy has still not been moved - nine months after his GP warned housing bosses the situation could drive him to suicide.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Aug 2007, 10:10 BST
Updated 24th Aug 2007, 07:45 BST

Housing management company Sheffield Homes has agreed to find a new property for Byron Brooks, aged 41, who is currently living at a flat in Longley.

But it has not yet identified a suitable home for Byron, who has a potentially fatal blood condition which his consultant claims could be made "more difficult to manage" by his housing problems.

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Last December, Mr Brooks' GP sent a letter to housing officer Michael Wainwright, which read: "This disturbance is causing him so much stress that he is now displaying symptoms of severe depression, including low mood, agitation, aggression and poor sleep.

"I am concerned that if his housing situation is not changed to more appropriate and less stressful surroundings, he is going to become increasingly depressed, more prone to suicide and, of course, possible heart disease."

Mr Brooks suffers from the blood disorder polycythaemia, where the body produces too many red blood cells. The condition is potentially fatal because it puts him at high risk of developing blood clots, which can lead to strokes or heart attacks. He was moved to his current address in 2006 after complaining of noise and suffering threats while living at a tower block in Stannington.

Housing officials received a further warning about Mr Brooks' situation in June, from a consultant haematologist at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

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Mr Brooks - who says the stress has also led to him losing his hair - said: "I just can't take any more and feel that Sheffield Homes does not care about my situation. They seem to be ignoring medical evidence."

Sheffield Homes told The Star it is trying to resolve the situation and has invited Mr Brooks to meet with staff to discuss rehousing - but he says he has not always been able to attend if he has not felt well enough.

Paul Voyse, Sheffield Homes Area Manager, said: "Staff from Sheffield Homes, Sheffield Council and South Yorkshire Police have worked extensively with Mr Brooks to try to resolve his complaints.

"We have to be sure that rehousing is the best option."