Kelvin Ford has lived in a terraced house in High Road, Swaythling for seven years.
Kelvin said his hoarding began seven years ago when his parents and his Jack Russell, Dinky, died, and he replaced loved ones with possessions.
His home is now barely navigable, with glass bottles, plastic bags, postcards, gardening tools and China plates piled high along the hallways.
While he is in contact with social workers, Kelvin says he is not getting enough support for his hoarding disorder, which he says amounts to a disability.
To make matters worse, Doctors at Southampton General Hospital have warned that his leg may need to be amputated because of type 2 diabetes.
He now fears losing both his home and his leg.
The 58-year-old said: “I’m really angry. [Social services have] let me down big time.
“I’m caught between a court case and the hospital. I don’t know what to do.”
Kelvin Ford, 58, at the doorway to his Swathyling home (Image: Xavi Straw)
Kelvin’s now inaccessible kitchen area (Image: Xavi Straw)
Darren, 36, one of Kelvin’s lifelong friends and fellow hoarder, said they had known and supported each other for 19 years.
He said: “Most people don’t even try to understand us. We feel like it’s not even recognised as a problem. We feel judged, like we’re lazy, but this is a real condition.
“We found friendship in isolation. Nobody seems to take our problem seriously, so we’re forced to look out for each other.”
Kelvin and his friends are now trying to empty the house as best they can in order to avoid eviction.
A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: “The wellbeing of our residents is important to us, and we are working with the resident to understand their circumstances and provide appropriate support.
“This includes considering practical assistance and suitable housing options where appropriate.”
Describing the condition, another friend of Kelvin’s and fellow hoarder said: “You start making little alleyways through your house from the kitchen to the bedroom until, before you know it, you’ve piled your house to the ceiling.
“He keeps himself to himself. He feels like he can’t trust people anymore.
“He thinks it’s just a few bottles and empty cartons, but they’re piled to the ceiling. He’s got about 300 toilet rolls in there.”