Blind Coventry pensioner left in insect-infested house says 'they forgot I existed'

Michael Jones has slammed Citizen Housing



A blind Coventry pensioner described his months-long ordeal of living in an insect-infested home as a 'living nightmare.' Michael Jones [pictured left] has blasted Citizen Housing, accusing the provider of forgetting he existed.

Michael, from Tile Hill, said that at the height of the infestation in August 2025, he was forced to dispose of his sofa and chairs at a cost of £60. He then replaced the furniture through the British Heart Foundation.

He was also required to meet half the cost of the infestation and forked out £300. Michael said his ordeal was only resolved after several phone calls and a formal letter from his GP.

Michael said: “I am 71, I cannot see well, and I live on my own, but it felt like Citizen Housing forgot I existed. I am speaking up because people need to know how I was treated.

“I want the bosses at Citizen to see what it is really like here and admit they have failed us. We are not asking for much, just a safe place to live and a bit of respect.”

Although Citizen Housing initially claimed the matter was resolved in September, the infestation continued until November, leaving Michael 'extremely distressed.' Now that the issue is resolved, the 71-year-old said he feels let down and wants to make sure no one else suffers as he did.

Councillor Gary Ridley, of the Coventry Conservatives, stepped in after reading a letter from Mr Jones' GP in August 2025. Doctors had requested an immediate inspection and fumigation to prevent the problem from worsening.

Cllr Ridley [pictured right] said: “Mr Jones was forced to endure 19th-century conditions in the year 2025. He was badly let down by the institutions that are supposed to protect him, and it is completely unacceptable.

“Nobody should be forced to live like this, and he is telling his story to ensure no one else is. He is one of the bravest people I have ever met, and he deserved so much better than this.”

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/blind-coventry-pensioner-left-insect-33304381