A MAN whose family is facing eviction has told Colchester Council council that he fears his family could be homeless by Christmas.

Simon Collis, who has lived and worked for most of his life in Colchester, approached the city council on numerous occasions during the past month after being served a ‘no fault’ eviction notice by his landlord.

Mr Collis addressed Colchester Council, telling those in attendance that in 23 years of working as a civil servant he has never been out of work or in rent arrears.

During his first appearance at a cabinet meeting, Mr Collis said that he wished to be a “human face of the housing crisis”.

He said: “It looks like by Christmas my family and I will perhaps be living in a box.

“I would rather die than see this happen. If my family were to receive my civil service pension, they would have a home and be catered for. I am worth more dead than I am alive.

“23 years of loyal service to the Crown, and what for? To be spat on and treated like scum. It’s not fair and it’s not right.

“I’m a desperate person and these are desperate times. My family has been forsaken and there doesn’t seem to be a god. I don’t see a way out.”

Council leader David King said that the administration’s strategy for dealing with the increased cases of homelessness across Colchester had “housing at its heart”, and that the local authority’s designated social housing association Colchester Borough Homes would “do everything it can to to help Mr Collis and his family to a better place”.

Sadly, the Collis family are only one of 28 families at risk of homelessness in the borough, and as per figures provided by a Colchester Borough Homes spokesperson 28 families are currently being housed in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation, and 180 children are living in temporary accommodation in total.

Colchester Borough Homes said: “The possession order expires on November 20.

“If Mr and Mrs Collis have not been able to secure an alternate home by that time, we will secure temporary accommodation for the family.”