Disabled man wins eviction fight with Norwich City Council

Emad Hamami, who lives in Grasmere Close, Earlham, with his children Dean, 19, and Matin, 13, has been embroiled in the dispute with the city council since 2021.

The authority claimed the 55-year-old, who had a stroke in 2019, was under-occupying the house that he has lived in for 13 years.

Emad Hamami has been battling with the Norwich City Council for three years around his family's proposed eviction (Image: Acorn Norwich)

The saga has taken many twists and turns, with police called to a failed eviction attempt on November 17 and members of housing community group Acorn Norwich - which has been fighting Mr Hamami's corner - disrupting a city council meeting on December 13.

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However, despite being granted custody of Matin on December 18, Emad was still expected to be handed an eviction notice from the council, or have the case taken to the High Court.

Emad Hamami with one of his two sons, 13-year-old Matin (Image: Acorn Norwich)

The fight has come to an end though, with the city council relenting and solicitors contacting Mr Hamami stating they will be offering him a new tenancy at his current home.

That has allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief after the three-year ordeal, saying: "I feel much better since I heard the news.

"With help from everyone I'm so relieved because the pressure on my mental health throughout all this had been pushing me down."

Members of Acorn Norwich disrupted a Norwich City Council meeting on December 13 demanding a halt of the eviction proceedings (Image: Acorn Norwich)

A spokesman for Norwich City Council said: "Mr Hamami has been offered the tenancy of the address where he has lived for the last 13 years.  

"This decision has been made because Mr Hamami provided evidence of a change of circumstances which would require him to need a three bedroom home."

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Izzy Jarvis, communications officer at Acorn Norwich, said: "We're excited to share that the city council has finally caved under the pressure and is offering a renewal of tenancy for Emad's family.

Emad, 55, said he was feeling so much better after receiving the news (Image: Acorn Norwich)

"Working together, we took continuous action against the council to defend Emad, despite the housing team’s unwillingness to meet with us or offer any way forward.

"But we stood together and as a result, the family will be able to stay in their home for another 13 years.

"We're immensely proud of our members and delighted for Emad and his family."

Emad with his son Matin and members of Acorn Norwich during the city council's failed attempt at evicting him on November 16 (Image: Acorn Norwich)