A dad says he's been forced to put a curtain up to divide his teenage son and daughter's bedroom as a last resort so they can have some privacy.
Simon Mansbridge, 41, shares a two-bed flat in Willenhall, Walsall, West Midlands, with his two children and wife.
He said the family were told they would qualify for a larger property four years ago, but they haven't been offered anything, despite bidding on the Homefinder app every week.
In that time, his children have become teenagers and have been left to share a tiny room, CoventryLive reports.
He says their living situation is impacting their mental health.
He added: "It is very stressful because I don't see Lorena having her own space, my son having his own space, I would say it is stressful on them as well, because they have to put up with each other."
When Simon got custody of his daughter, Lorena, three years ago, he says he was told he could get a bigger property - but it hasn't happened.
He said: "I've cut up a curtain dividing the bedroom so they can shut themselves off from each other, so yeah I have put a curtain up in the centre of the bedroom dividing [it] so they can shut the curtains and have some privacy.
"But it isn't a very big room, there are two beds, two chests of drawers, a wardrobe, they really haven't got a lot of space."
He continued: "My daughter at aged 14 has her monthlies and that, she needs her own space and her own privacy, when they're getting changed, one will go into the bathroom while the other will use the bedroom, they're having to knock the door and ask if they can come in."
The children's bedroom has been split in half by Simon, with his daughter Lorena's side decorated with pictures of friends, cards and Disney bedding.
His son Kerrison's side is painted blue, with his Xbox, aftershaves and birthday cards hung up.
Simon said: "When I got custody of my daughter, I've taken court orders down to [the council] to show that I need a bigger property because I have custody of my daughter, it has not done anything in the way of pushing me forward for a three-bedroom property.
"Over the past couple of months, at weekends, [my son] has been going out at staying at his friend's houses, so he has his own personal space, but other than that in the week he's stuck at home.
"We are very stressed, limited on space with furniture, everybody's belongings within the flat, it is a big struggle especially in the evenings when I get home.
"[I'm] trying to get things sorted, dinners are done for everyone, getting everyone so they can sit down and relax and have their own space in the evenings."
Simon has lived in the flat for 15 years but said that the family cannot afford a deposit for a private property.
He added: "The rent now on private properties is extortionate it is getting impossible.
"The stress of bidding on properties for three years it's taking its toll on myself and my partner."
A spokesperson for Coventry City Council said: “The new Homefinder scheme went live on the September 13, 2021, and since then there have been 53 three-bedroom properties let and 52 of those have gone to Band 1 – which is the highest priority band.
“We currently have 1,223 households on the scheme with a three-bedroom need and 782 are one-bedroom overcrowded.
“So there is a significant waiting list.
“We understand Mr Mansbridge’s concerns, and if he believes he should be in a different banding, then he can submit a change of circumstances form with the reasons for the change and we will assess this against the Homefinder Policy.
“Alternatively he may need to consider privately renting a property to resolve his circumstances more quickly.”
The Mirror has contacted Coventry City Council for further comment.
