Bedford family who spent Christmas in Travelodge told to leave temporary accommodation
A Bedford family who say they spent Christmas in a Travelodge while homeless are now being told to leave their temporary accommodation after Bedford Borough Council upheld a decision that a housing offer they refused was suitable.
The household, consisting of a mother and her adult son, have been homeless since July 2025 after receiving a Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notice from their private landlord.
They have been living in hotel accommodation arranged by the council and say they remained there over the Christmas period while a dispute over alternative housing was ongoing.
Documents seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) show the council has now upheld a decision that a two-bedroom flat offered to the household was suitable, and that its housing duty has come to an end.
In a review decision dated March 20, 2026, the borough council said it had considered the family’s circumstances, including medical information, but concluded the property was suitable and that it was reasonable for the offer to be accepted.
The decision states that, following the refusal of what the council considered a suitable offer, the authority no longer had a duty to provide accommodation.
On the same date, the council wrote to the adult son requiring them to leave Travelodge Goldington by April 24, 2026.
The family disputes the council’s assessment.
The mother shared a letter from a GP, dated February 13, 2026, with the LDRS, which asked the council’s social services team to carry out a care needs assessment and said the adult son has a history of autism and learning difficulties.
The letter states that he and his mother were homeless and staying in temporary accommodation, and that alternative accommodation had been declined because of concerns about mould and suitability.
The GP said they would “appreciate it” if the son’s housing situation be assessed as a “priority”.
Emails also seen by the LDRS also show the mother contacted a Bedford-based charity describing the difficulties of managing daily life in hotel accommodation.
In a reply, an outreach worker said that, based on the information provided, the household appeared to be in priority need due to health conditions and that the temporary accommodation was “not ideal” for their needs.
The mother said the family should have received more support given their health conditions and the impact of homelessness on their situation.
Bedford Borough Council was contacted for comment on the case, including the GP referral, and the decision to end its housing duty, but did not respond.