Amid Liverpool’s housing crisis, gamer’s struggle exposes the harsh realities

Amer Fandi‘s story is one that lays bare the housing crisis gripping Liverpool, where thousands are struggling to find adequate accommodation. For the past 18 months, Amer, aged 37, has been living in his car on the streets of Liverpool, parked up close to Princes Avenue in Toxteth.

Originally from Libya, Amer fled his native country in 2014 amidst the turmoil of the civil war. Arriving in the UK, he found work and established himself in Liverpool, only to fall victim to the city’s housing crisis. After losing his accommodation due to a dispute with his landlord, Amer found himself without a home.

Despite working full-time, Amer couldn’t secure another place to live. He describes how he ended up in his current situation: “I used to live in a house with a private landlord. The contract was not in my name, but I was paying half the rent. I lost the house because the other man left and when I asked the landlord to sort out the damp and mould he said he needed the house back and I had no contract, so he kicked me out.”

Living in his car, Amer continued to work, striving to maintain a sense of normalcy. Even his colleagues were unaware of his living situation, as he made efforts to appear presentable despite his circumstances.

However, life took a turn for the worse when Amer was injured while trying to stop a shoplifter. His knee injury left him unable to work and exacerbated his living conditions. “I’ve been waiting for an MRI scan since last year,” he explains. “Living in the car was making my knee worse, it is very cold.”

Despite his efforts to secure housing assistance, Amer has faced roadblocks at every turn. He claims that advice from homeless charities led him to believe that quitting his job would improve his chances of obtaining housing. However, months later, he’s still in the same situation.

“I have rung the council every single morning for years,” he says. “They always say someone will ring me back but no one ever does.”

Amer’s plight is emblematic of the larger housing crisis in Liverpool. With a waiting list of 14,000 for social housing and limited available properties, many find themselves in precarious situations like Amer’s. Liverpool City Council, overwhelmed by demand, struggles to provide adequate support to those in need.

Despite the challenges, Amer remains hopeful for a better future. “When I had the house I paid my rent, my taxes I would do the same again,” he says. “But I won’t go with a private landlord anymore, I don’t trust them.”

For Amer, the first thing he’ll do when he finally secures a home is simple: “I would have a bath,” he says with a smile. “I would stay in it for 48 hours.”

While Amer’s story reflects the harsh realities faced by many in Liverpool, it also underscores the need for urgent action to address the city’s housing crisis and provide support to those most in need