Squatters ordered to leave hostel

The squatters have four weeks to vacate the empty hostel in Exeter

A group of squatters who took over an empty hostel in Devon have been ordered by the courts to vacate the property.

The 13 dwellers, who are aged 18 to 24, took over the building in Exeter at the start of October after being evicted from an empty school in the city.

The owners of the hostel, Sanctuary Housing Association, applied for a court order to regain possession.

A judge at Exeter Magistrates' Court has ruled that the group must leave within four weeks.

'Hidden homeless'

One of the squatters, who declined to be named, said: "If we didn't have this place or somewhere else we could go we would be on the streets.

"None of us qualify for the emergency lists - sort of like drug habits, pregnancy, got kids - so we fall into the hidden homeless category which is sofa surfing and stuff like that.

The group were evicted from a school and moved into the hostel in October

"It's pretty hard to get out of it," she added.

Another squatter ended up homeless when his business failed four months ago.

A spokesperson for Sanctuary Housing Association said: "In the interests of fairness to all those on the housing waiting list, we have been left with no alternative but to apply to the courts and seek possession of the property.

"We plan to refurbish the building ready for a local supporting housing provider who intends to offer much needed accommodation for vulnerable people."

The association and Exeter City Council said they have offered support to help the group find somewhere else to live.