The struggle to get off the street

In a series of special reports, ITV News is examining Britain's housing crisis.

Tracey lived on the streets for 3 months - she's now in a hostel for people with complex needs, and comes here every week to put a bid in for a council property.

Every week she comes to a makeshift drop-in centre for the homeless in Coventry, run by the charity Crisis, to bid for a council property. So far it has been without success.

Her partner David has been living in a car park in Coventry on-and-off for four-and-a-half years.

The couple tried renting privately in a property that accepted welfare claimants, but it did not work out.

Tracey says some property did not have flushing toilet or running water, and there were rats.

She describes it as "not safe at all" and a "step backwards".

Tracey and David are in a precarious and risky way of life.

At least 1000 homeless people have died in the UK since October 2017.

However, there may be some good news on the horizon for the couple.

The West Midlands is one of three areas in the UK where the government is targeting rough sleepers to find them stable and affordable accommodation. Coventry, where the pair are based, will get around £2 million.