**Elderly Mother and Son Forced to Survive on Pot Noodles in Temporary Hotel Room After Eviction**
An elderly woman and her adult son have been living in precarious conditions at a Manchester hotel after losing their home, highlighting the growing pressures on the region’s social housing system. The pair, once residents of Edgeley in Stockport, have had to adapt to living in a cramped Travelodge room, relying on instant noodles and takeaways for sustenance since their eviction in late July.
Paul Maddocks, 43, and his 73-year-old mother Susan Weatherman have faced more than two weeks sharing a double bed until hotel staff found them a twin room. The lack of basic amenities such as a fridge or a means to cook or wash clothes has left them struggling to maintain their physical health and wellbeing. Speaking about their ordeal, Paul said, “We have been here for three weeks now, and it’s really affecting my mental health. There’s no way to cook or clean our laundry, and we’re watching our money drain away on takeaway food.”
Susan, meanwhile, echoed her son’s distress and explained how isolation from their support network was compounding the difficulty of their situation. “It really is a nightmare. We’re cut off from our family and friends in Stockport, and the uncertainty is incredibly stressful.”
The duo’s situation is the result of their former landlord, Gary Fildes, being compelled to sell the rented property due to financial hardship. According to Gary, he notified Stockport Homes back in March to allow a smoother handover, and has since supported Paul and Susan in their attempts to obtain suitable housing. Expressing concern, he said, “Putting a 73-year-old and her son into a small hotel room with only one bed for over a week is unbelievable. There’s been no clear communication from the council about how long they’ll be left in limbo.”
Stockport Homes, the organisation responsible for managing social housing in the area, responded to the situation by expressing regret for the distress the family is experiencing. A spokesperson emphasised: “Losing your home through no fault of your own is unimaginably tough, especially when you’re facing health challenges. Demand for permanent homes far outstrips supply, which sadly means some families are left in temporary hotel accommodation until something more suitable is found.”
This predicament is a stark illustration of the widening chasm between affordable housing supply and demand. With rents in Stockport now topping £1,000 per month—a rise of 8% in just a year, according to the Office for National Statistics—Paul has found it impossible to secure private rented accommodation within his budget, particularly as he is currently unable to work due to illness.
The financial strain on the family is acute. Without cooking facilities, they are forced to buy ready meals and snacks, pushing their limited funds further towards exhaustion. “We’re trying to budget,” Paul said, “but we’re seriously worried about what happens when we run out of money. The stress is relentless, and we don’t feel we’re getting the support we need.”
Travelodge, the hotel chain providing their temporary accommodation, acknowledged the difficulties faced by those experiencing homelessness. A company spokesperson explained, “While we strive to provide our guests with quality and comfort, we recognise that a hotel room is no substitute for a home. We work closely with local authorities to help when there is no alternative.”
The situation reflects a broader crisis affecting thousands across the country. Stockport Homes currently has a waiting list exceeding 8,000 individuals, while Stockport Council expects to spend approximately £2 million this year on emergency housing in response to spiralling homelessness and an overreliance on hotels for temporary shelter.
Both Paul and Susan’s accounts raise questions about the adequacy of current support for vulnerable residents. “We’re just desperate for some clarity,” Paul concluded. “We have no idea how long we’ll be here, or what comes next. It feels like we’ve been forgotten.” This family’s plight is just one of many that underscores the urgent need for sustainable, long-term solutions to the UK’s housing shortage.