A STREET cleaner who faced eviction after his brother died in a road accident has been told he can now stay in his flat.

John Cox, 35, was devastated when brother Anthony died after coming off his scooter in Camberley Road, Bulwell, on September 9 last year.

He had been living with his 32-year-old brother in a two-bedroom flat in Wendover Drive, Aspley, for nine months prior to his death.

The Post previously reported how Nottingham City Homes had asked John, who has learning difficulties, to leave because the flat was in his brother's name and he had no legal right to be there.

Current housing regulations meant he would need to have lived in the flat for at least a year to take on the tenancy.

Now – after Housing Aid, Nottingham North MP Graham Allen and Notts Housing Advice took on his case – they have allowed him to stay on compassionate grounds.

"It means a lot to me and the rest of the family," said John. "I'm so happy that Nottingham City Homes have listened to me. I can build a family home here."

John says he is planning to refurbish the flat and can't wait for his family to see it when he's finished.

"My mum, dad and sister live in Bulwell. Christmas and New Year were excellent. I had a party and people came round on New Year's Eve. It was such a great way to start off a brand new year.

"I want to thank everyone who helped me to stay here."

A spokeswoman for Notts Housing Advice, which offers free and independent legal advice on housing and homelessness issues, said: "John was referred to Notts Housing Advice by his support worker.

"His caseworker liaised with Nottingham City Council and Nottingham City Homes to highlight his case and request that he was permitted to stay in his brother's property due to the fact he had exceptional circumstances.

"We are very pleased that they agreed to permit John to stay in his home and wish him well for the future."

Gill Moy, Director of Housing Services at Nottingham City Homes, said: "We are pleased to have been able to help Mr Cox. He was clearly going through a distressing time and working alongside his key worker we have been able to make sure he stays in the property he shared with his brother.

"We operate an open and transparent allocations system. We know that not every person or situation is the same and considering the complexity of Mr Cox's support needs, it was clearly the right decision to help him stay in his home."

guy.woodford@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk