Man with terminal cancer fights 'unsafe' flat offer

A man with a terminal brain tumour says he fears for his safety after being told he could be moved to the 15th floor of an Essex tower block recently affected by flooding.

Paul Livingstone, from Grays, is challenging Thurrock Council's decision to offer him a flat at Brisbane House in Tilbury, arguing his medical condition means the accommodation is unsuitable.

The 38-year-old was diagnosed with the inoperable tumour in September 2024, and has had several rounds of gruelling chemotherapy.

The council said Livingstone's medical needs and circumstances were considered before he was offered the flat.

Livingstone said he approached the housing authority for homelessness support in March 2025 after leaving a property in Hampshire and returning to Essex, and was placed in a house in multiple occupation (HMO) shortly afterwards.

On 18 May, he received what the council described as a "one-time" offer of permanent housing – a flat on the 15th floor of Brisbane House, which is a 1970s residential tower block on Leicester Road.

Livingstone viewed the flat, but during the visit said the building's lift temporarily broke down, leaving him distressed and confronting the prospect of having to use the stairs.

"That told me everything I needed to know," he said. "After rounds of chemotherapy, I have severe fatigue and problems with my memory."

He said the experience left him feeling frightened and overwhelmed.

"I feel the 15th floor of a tower block with an unreliable lift could be unsafe for someone in my condition."

"What if something happens and I need urgent medical help? Being on the top floor of a tower block is frightening," he said.

"I worry that something could go wrong and no-one would know for some time - that's a real concern.

"Being on the very top floor means I could be completely cut off."

Thurrock Council said the property offered had been identified after considering his housing circumstances and obtaining medical advice.

It said the advice confirmed that accommodation above the second floor can be suitable where there was reliable lift access.

A council spokesperson added: "Brisbane House has two working lifts and, if one breaks down, the other would be prioritised for repair within an hour if it also became faulty."

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