A FAMILY from Blackbird Leys has been dropped from the council’s housing list after saying they did not want to move to Coventry.

Jessica McGovern, 23, lives with her three-year-old daughter Alice, partner Stephan Cunningham and their 11-month-old baby Charlie.

They have been told Oxford City Council cannot give them any permanent housing in the city.

Miss McGovern, who is currently looking for a job, rented a two-bedroom flat in Blackbird Leys Road from a private landlord for £800 a month using her housing benefits.

She said: “We were told in September that the landlady was going to sell it and that we had to leave.

“I can’t find any landlords that will take us now, it’s impossible. When you tell them you’re on benefits its like you’ve got the plague.”

On January 12, the council moved the family into the Pear Tree Travelodge.

Miss McGovern said: “We were told we would get a temporary house in Iffley Road while we waited for a permanent house.”

But on January 22 they were informed that a permanent two-bedroom flat was waiting for them in Coventry – 60 miles away.

Miss McGovern said: “It’s a private rent up there too, so we’ll be in the same situation that we were in before. That way if the landlord kicks us out we’ll be Coventry’s problem instead of being able to come back to Oxford.

“All my family is in Oxford and Stephan has two other kids in Oxford.We don’t want to leave them.”

Mr Cunningham, 32, is off work because of health problems. He said: “We told them last Monday that we definitely didn’t want to move to Coventry and they’ve kicked us off their books. Now we’re staying with Jessica’s mum in Greater Leys.”

Council spokesman Chofamba Sithole said it offered “out of area” housing only when necessary and tried to find the closest accommodation to Oxford at an affordable rate.

He added: “While the council has deemed the offer of accommodation to be suitable, Miss McGovern has refused to view the property. As a result, the council ceases to have any duty owed and will consider that it has discharged its duty. Miss McGovern has exercised her right to request a review.”

Since January 2014, 54 families have been relocated outside of the city.

Council leader Bob Price said it was “increasingly difficult” to find affordable accommodation or families on housing benefit. He added: “In these circumstances, the Housing Needs team cannot conjure accommodation out of the air and are obliged to look elsewhere.”