A vulnerable man grieving the sudden deaths of his dad and brother is now on the brink of losing his home.
Darren Evans shared the council house in Caerau, Cardiff, with his two late family members, both named David.
He was told by the city council shortly after their deaths that the semi-detached three-bed property in Heol-Yr-Odyn was too big for just him.
The 51-year-old - who has severe learning difficulties and cannot read or write - lost his brother, 53, last July to sepsis before their dad died aged 77 in November, reports WalesOnline.
David senior had COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and according to granddaughter Amy Lesauteur "it was like he'd given up" and didn't want to take his oxygen after his son's death.
Darren has been left crippled with anxiety and depression and fears his mental health will collapse completely.
Relatives have been taking it in turns to stay with him to make sure he has the support he needs.
But Amy, 29, said this will no longer be possible if he is moved into a one-bedroom property as the council is proposing.
She said his neighbours also help with things like cooking and have become like family over the years, adding: "He needs that kind of support."
Darren said: "I just feel suicidal and depressed all the time. I won't be able to carry on if I have to move."
His parents moved into the home 55 years ago, registering the tenancy in his mum Barbara's name.
Shortly before her death in 1994, the tenancy was succeeded by the elder David.
Rules only allow one succession per tenancy, and although the Welsh Government passed a law in 2016 which will potentially allow two, the change is not coming into force until this December.
Cardiff Council said even if the law was already in place, it would still be able to apply for an eviction in cases where a home is too big for a tenant's needs.
Amy said her uncle Darren received a letter in January from the council informing him of the decision.
She added the housing manager then came out to the property and told him "you aren't keeping the house, it's as simple as that".
Amy said Darren was offered a one-bed flat in "one of the worst estates in Ely" which she claims has a "big drug issue".
She claims he was told to arrive for a viewing, or else he wouldn't be offered anything else, which he did, but "no one turned up" after waiting an hour and a half.
"We haven't heard from the housing manager since, there's been no explanation," Amy added.
"We've been given no date for when he has to leave, no guidance on that."
The council told the local news outlet the property is not ready and there must have been a misunderstanding as a viewing would not have been offered.
Amy has set up a petition against the eviction and has so far received 158 signatures.
A council spokesperson said: “The law on tenancy succession is clear and currently allows only one succession to take place, which has already occurred in this instance.
"There is very high demand for family-size accommodation across the city and as Mr Evans has been assessed as requiring a one-bedroom property, the three-bedroom house he’s currently in is too big for his needs.
“An offer of a one-bedroom property in Ely, an area near to Mr Evans’ support network, has been made but as the property is currently undergoing works, it is not available to view until August.
"We will consider any further evidence Mr Evans wishes to submit that would support the need for larger accommodation.
“The rules around succession will be changing under the Renting Homes Act, due to be implemented in December, and Mr Evans would have succession rights.
"However, due to the considerable demand for larger family homes, the changes would still allow the council to work with tenants living in properties too big for their needs to move to suitable, smaller accommodation.
"This will apply to cases from December 2022 onwards.”
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