A DISABLED pensioner is set to be made homeless after his 'desperate' landlady was forced to sell up amid the cost of living crisis.
John Beazley, 76, lives with his wife Jenny who cares for him after he suffered a spinal cord injury at work seven years ago.
Together the couple has been at Rufus Gardens in Totton for nearly a year - but were given an eviction notice in November.
They were initially due to be out by January 8 - but have now been given until February 9, the same day John is due to undergo an operation.
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"It is very worrying and keeps me up at night," he told the Echo.
He added: "The landlord said to me, I'm going to have to evict you because we can't afford to maintain the house.
"They wanted to sell it because the mortgage rate has gone up, and I think it was going to be a case for a lot of people."
John added: "I don't know if I will be bedridden (after my operation) or if I need any equipment to recover.
"I've been told that I'll be in hospital for probably two to three days but what does my wife do? Where will she stay or sleep?"
Jenny, 50, added: "We are in a really really hard situation."
Figures show 436 households were assessed for homelessness in Southampton between April and June last year.
Among those households, there were 83 incidences of people needing support due to their disability.
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John added: "My bank account is down to less than £1,000.
"If I pay that, who's going to pay for my gas and electricity, and who's going to feed me?"
The couple's landlord, who asked not to be named, told the Echo: "We don't want to put John on street, but we are desperate.
"Our mortgages are going up and we just want to get rid of the property."
When asked how she is dealing with the cost of living crisis, the landlady said: "Just about."
The case has raised concerns in the newly-formed Southampton Tenants' Union.
Founder Phil Tyler said: "People becoming homeless is becoming a bigger problem."
He added: "There are some people staying with relatives and doing all kinds of things to survive.
"Some can't have a decent life because they don't have somewhere to live.
"We need to invest in our people, housing and public services because they're things that make our society work."
A spokesperson from New Forest District Council yesterday said: "An officer from the Homeless Team has made contact with Mr Beazley today and established he has been in contact with a neighbouring authority regarding his housing situation.
"One of our officers will make contact with colleagues there to ensure Mr Beazley is contacted to progress his case further."
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