A HOMELESS former steelworker with six children says he is now considering going into private rented accommodation as he wrangles with Newport council over being rehoused.

Three weeks ago, the Argus highlighted how Roger Moore, (pictured) made redundant from Llanwern steelworks in May, and his family were living on benefits in cramped conditions in Clifton Place hostel, Newport. He has now been there more than 16 weeks. Mr Moore, 36, his wife Jacqui, 38 and their children moved into the hostel just weeks before Christmas.

Mr Moore claims the family haven't been offered any properties to view in the last few weeks. A council spokeswoman said: "The council has offered the family a number of available properties which we believe are suitable, including some in the areas of Newport that they have asked for.

"The family has chosen to turn all the properties down. We have also given the family advice about the broad range of housing options available within Newport."

Mr Moore had to sell the family home in St Julian's last November to avoid the risk of having it repossessed.

Mr Moore said before he had sold the house in Usk Street he had tried to find out if it would be possible to stay there and receive benefits to pay the mortgage.

But he said that wasn't an option as there would be no help available until this April. Jobless Mr Moore said his family had now had enough of being cooped up in the three rooms allocated to them in the hostel. He claimed they are becoming depressed at the thought of possibly spending the summer in the hostel. He said the family is now considering other options.

He said: "We are still here. We haven't been offered any more properties to view. We have decided to look for privately rented accommodation to get us out of here but a lot of places don't take DSS."