Tent for Homeless man

LisaB85

I watched the prog about empty homes and was shocked at how many normal previously unemployed/intelligent people are on the streets.

They did 2 flats up, 1 of the men they housed was made homeless after his Mum who he cared for died. The man had degrees! but with no fixed address he couldn't find work to pick himself up.

In the current climate I think it is easy to end up on the streets I wonder how bad it will get now housing benefit rules are changing.

kelda_shelton

CATS - what a lovely thing to do.. please tell us his reaction!

PasturesNew

It's very easy to become homeless if you're single. You're nobody's priority and won't get looked after. There was a recent "mystery shopping" of Councils undertaken, where single people presented themselves as homeless and in many cases they were simply shoo'd away, not even given the daft leaflet some had to hand out to them.

The news today showed a charity (St Petroc's) in Exeter has just been granted more funding - and they showed a 26 year old male who had been homeless for 10 years; he was attending the St Petroc's Day Centre for a meal/cup of tea, but they had nowhere for him to sleep, so each night when they shut up he has to go out and sleep rough again.

Plans_all_plans

As well as helping him personally, I would ring the homeless charities in your area to find out if they are aware of him and get them to contact him if they've not already. Tell them you are concerned about his welfare. Sadly, the fact that some homeless people are suffering from mental health issues means that they can be entitled to benefits/be aware of housing options open to them, but they still stay on the streets. There was a man in our city who I spoke to the Big Issue about: he could claim benefits and hostel places were available to him, but he wouldn't take them.

Fizzpop

I think its a great thing to do cats xx

Alot of the time there are places for homeless people to go but that also depends on the amount of beds they have too so you need to get there early to claim your bed.

As for someone saying they have seen homeless people swapping "prime" pitches believe it or not there is an understanding between some homeless people so that everyone gets something, also what might be a so called prime pitch on a morning might not be so good come the afternoon so one homeless person knowing this will move on and someone else take it over

As for drink and drugs yes this is a common problem but by the same token there are some just trying to survive any way they can

And most of all dont forget there are some homeless people who are so used to that way of life they return to it even if fate is kind and they get off the streets, they simply dont know anything else.

violettasomerset

I've just seen this, and it might be too late for you to go to the shop again, but would you also (maybe at a later date) be able to get him one of those big orange "bivvy" bags so he can put the new sleeping bag inside that when he's sleeping, to stay a bit drier?

I'm really impressed with your generousity, btw, I'm sure he'll be delighted - even if he might not show it.

candygirl

Such a lovely idea hun, and i'm sure he will appreciate it xx:D:D

CATS

violettasomerset, I cant get to the shops now but might look it up later on. I know that a lot of these people drink etc, but at this point it is so cold that I really dont care. I just feel so guilty walking pass him going to my lovely warm home and thinking of him in the street. By the way I found some dog food, so really happy I am just think, if I can do a little something for someone then why not? I have a son and I hope if Karma exists it comes back to him luckily I am in a position to be able to bring a smile to someone's face even if it is for 1 minute. Now I really hope he is in his usual place or I will have to carry the rucksack home

stargazer59

I have to say thank you OP for reminding us what Christmas is all about.

Janey3

And a thank you from me too, Cats, for bringing back into focus the true spirit of Christmas.

Glad you managed to get some dog food too! He probably wouldn't want to part with his doggie friend even if accommodation could be found for him.