The heartache of tragic foster dad who took his own life a week before bedroom tax eviction

The family of a remarkable foster father who tragically took his own life just days before he was to be evicted for falling behind on the ‘bedroom tax’ have said they believe his death was preventable. Lee McHale, who had dreams of raising children, became a foster parent about 14 years ago.

Since then, the caring 52-year-old has devoted himself to caring for a number of children in his home in Denton. Unfortunately, he had to stop last year after his health deteriorated.

Originally from Gorton, Lee was left alone in the property looking after the children. However, with more rooms unoccupied, he fell under the “bedroom tax”.

With his housing benefit failing to cover the full rent, Lee quickly found himself in debt and at risk of eviction, he revealed during an inquest at Stockport Coroners Court. On November 25 the previous year, he was rushed to Tameside Hospital following an overdose and died two days later.

Lee’s brother Gary McHale, 50, and sister-in-law Jemma, 38, told the Manchester Evening News that Lee felt unable to seek financial support. Jemma, who saw Lee in A&E after the overdose, recalled him admitting his “pride” had prevented him from seeking help.

She said: “He said it was because he was a proud man and didn’t want to ask anyone for help, even though we would have helped him. He didn’t reveal anything to us. You feel guilty because obviously it was unexpected and I didn’t know it was financial.

“The money he was getting for housing benefit didn’t even cover his rent. He was always going to be in arrears and he had never been in arrears before and it wasn’t much. He was to be evicted after a week. he died.”

Speaking about Lee’s death, Jemma said: “It could have been avoided.” Jemma told how Lee, who once ran pubs such as the Bay Horse in Newton Heath and Churchill’s in Manchester, dedicated himself to looking after children until ill health forced him to stop six months before his death.

The adoptive father suffered two mini-strokes that affected his mobility and made it difficult for him to work. Describing Lee’s commitment to fostering, Jemma, alongside Gary, stressed that: “it meant the world to him” and how much Lee “loved” being an uncle.

They said: “He was a lovely man and had a heart of gold. He was amazing and would do anything for anyone. He did a lot for people and was sheltered for 14 years if not more. He never had children of his own and always wanted them.”

Recalling Lee’s personality, they shared, “He was a great character and had a great sense of humor. He liked to laugh. He loved to party in his youth, he was just a nice man.”

The pair recalled Lee’s generosity and involvement in their family life: “He did a lot for us. He was a great uncle to the three of us and taught our nephew to swim. If we struggled, he would race the school”.

Jemma and Gary are determined that action must be taken to prevent similar tragedies from happening to others. The “bedroom tax”, introduced under David Cameron’s coalition government, has come under fire from charities and universities. Officially called the ‘occupancy tax’, it reduces claimants’ monthly benefits if they have one or more spare bedrooms.

Alison Mutch, coroner for Manchester South, wrote to the Department for Housing Communities and Local Government. She warned that other people could face a similar fate.

The investigation revealed that Lee went into debt after the placement ended because of the discrepancy between his housing benefit entitlement and the actual rent. “This came about because of the ‘bedroom tax’,” Ms Mutch said.

“He had a larger property since he had children in foster care. However, she had to give up placement and was dependent on benefits as a result. He was at risk of eviction at the time of his death.”

In a Preventing Future Deaths report, Ms Mutch said: “(Mr McHale) did not feel able to cope with the situation. He was anxious to move away from home, in part because it allowed one of his now-adult children to move on. living with him.

“He allowed it because he was concerned that otherwise that person would become homeless. In the end, he took a catastrophic overdose.”

Ms Mutch concluded: “In my view, action should be taken to prevent further deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action.”

The investigation recorded a conclusion of suicide. A MoHCLG spokesperson said the department would consider the report before responding to the coroner.