A young family in Birmingham was recently relocated from a hotel after their toddler suffered what appeared to be bed bug bites, prompting concern and calls for action regarding the quality of temporary housing.
The couple, aged 17 and 18, and their one-year-old child had been placed in temporary accommodation at the Strathallen Hotel on Hagley Road. According to their doctor’s assessment, the toddler’s bite marks on his legs and back were consistent with bed bug bites, with advice given to seek further medical attention if infections developed.
Following a report by BirminghamLive, Birmingham City Council issued a statement expressing regret over the family’s distressing experience. Despite pest control inspections that found no evidence of bed bugs in the hotel room, the council promptly moved the family into a self-contained accommodation unit to ensure their wellbeing.
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“We are deeply sorry to hear about the tenant’s recent experience and its impact on her family. We expect the highest standards from our temporary accommodation providers,” a council spokesperson said.
The council confirmed that officers had been investigating the complaint and took measures to relocate the family as of May 5. They also highlighted ongoing efforts to address housing challenges.
“The council is committed to building new, warm, safe, and sustainable homes to reduce reliance on temporary accommodations. However, the national housing crisis means current building rates are insufficient to meet demand, limiting the options available for those in need,” the spokesperson added.
The family had lived at the hotel since mid-April. After initially raising concerns about bed bug bites, they were moved to a different hotel room, but the couple reported continued distress and discomfort, especially for their toddler.
The mother described the situation as a “massive safeguarding concern,” noting that their child was scratching intensely, unable to sleep, and refusing to drink properly due to the bites. The toddler’s constant distress included “screaming and crying for hours,” with resulting skin wounds from scratching.
The family is no longer living at the hotel, and the council continues to monitor the situation as part of its commitment to safeguarding vulnerable residents.