Help for Homeless Guy

MONEYBUG_2

Just want to say that I really admire you, your neighbour and everyone else who has helped this man so far. Just by letting this man have a shower and wear some clean clothes has given him hope. Just wish there were more people out there who would find it in their hearts to do the same.

By having a job and a few people who have good things to say about him, this man shouldn't have too many problems finding somewhere to live. Does he earn enough to maybe start renting a bedsit? What has the Council said about a place?

I really do hope he finds somewhere to call a home.

MX

MSE_Martin

Dear KopicB

I've had a chat to some media contacts and BBC South (your regional TV station) are very interested in the story. If you are happy to - would you send me a private message with your phone number and/or email on it and i will pass it on to the journalist.

Hopefully this will really help get things done for this chap

Martin

kopicbloodaxe

Again, thanks to everyone for advice so far. Especially Martin for getting the media interested! :-)

Quick update - council said no again yesterday at another meeting. Having tried the council several times, now is the time to explore all the other options that have been posted here.

Smiley_Mum

Just thought I would post this. I mentioned about the homeless guy that I helped out at Christmas time etc with money for accommodation etc as he didn't have enough to rent a hostel room. He was on a tv programme recently and he was given temporary accommodation by the local council for a short time. Right now, I am unsure as to what his accommodation situation is but he did say that his case was going to be heard again in Edinburgh I think, in June/July time. He is still selling the Big Issue in town and it is a real shame that the Council have not done more for him. Having been homeless myself, albeit for a short time I know that it is not easy, particularly when you do not have any support. When I spoke with him recently he was talking about going back to France as he could make some kind of living there doing street art etc which is disallowed in the UK. I did offer for him to use my address in order for him to get a passport, whether that is a good move or not, I'm not too sure. Although he seems a decent enough guy, needing to survive can cause you to do desperate things so I'm unsure about my offer to him of using my address for his application.

http://www.grampiantv.co.uk/content/default.asp?page=s5_4_4&newsid=2116&newstype=n1_1

Good luck with the media and stuff, hope things work out for the chap.

steady__eddie

Has the person concerned ever been in the forces ?
If yes, the British Legion can be very helpful.

kopicbloodaxe

Another quick update. A TV journalist contacted us and wants to arrange interviews for a documentary on homelessness in our area.

Many thanks to Martin for putting us and the journo together! :-)

charlie12

Great stuff, good luck, hope it goes well

loadsacash

Hi ther

I know of another homlessness project called two step. They help people out by lending them the deposit for a flat. The number is.

020 7247 7420

or their website is

http://uk.hopeworldwide.org/world/europe/uk/sections/programs/twostep.htm

I hope that he finds somwhere soon

horace_2

I have not read all posts on this thread so forgive me if this has been posted before.

I qoute from the initial post..

`My neighbour opened a bank account for him and pays his wages into there for him to save towards paying for accomodation`. unquote

How is this possible? Can this homeless person prove his identity and address to the satisfaction of a Bank? I rather doubt it.

As to allowing him to use one`s home for showers` and changes of clothing I would caution anyone from doing this.

I recall sometime ago a case on BBC`s Crimewatch where a couple had befriended a homeless person over the Christmas period and allowed him to reside at their house. He disappeared a few days later after raping the couples 11 year old daughter. I cannot recall if the rapist was caught.

Whilst I have every sympathy with homeless people one must ask the question why are they homeless? There will be a reason.

Murtle

horace wrote:

I have not read all posts on this thread so forgive me if this has been posted before.

I qoute from the initial post..

`My neighbour opened a bank account for him and pays his wages into there for him to save towards paying for accomodation`. unquote

How is this possible? Can this homeless person prove his identity and address to the satisfaction of a Bank? I rather doubt it.

As to allowing him to use one`s home for showers` and changes of clothing I would caution anyone from doing this.

I recall sometime ago a case on BBC`s Crimewatch where a couple had befriended a homeless person over the Christmas period and allowed him to reside at their house. He disappeared a few days later after raping the couples 11 year old daughter. I cannot recall if the rapist was caught.

Whilst I have every sympathy with homeless people one must ask the question why are they homeless? There will be a reason.

it pays to read ALL the posts!!! He has been able to use the address for opening bank account, he works for the guy and so gets showered before work, but doesn't reside there....!!!

Good concern though, but please remember that MANY people are homeless through benign reasons/run of bad luck...not cause they are*bad* people