LIVING HELL
I’ve worked for my entire life but became homeless at 65 – council ‘can’t help me’ so I’m forced to sleep on streets
Gary says he is shocked at just how quickly things fell apart for him
A MAN says he is being forced to work until he dies as he’s 65, homeless and stuck in a dead-end job.
Gary Evans gave up his private rental flat of 13 years for a new job as a live-in carer in October 2023.
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But his plans fell through when the woman he was due to care for died just before he was due to start work and he now sleeps on the streets.
He burned through his minimal savings of £500 in a matter of weeks staying in hotels while he tried to find alternative accommodation.
He earns between £200 and £700 a month from his amusement park job, depending on the season, with up to £393 universal credit, in the lower months.
This simply isn't enough to rent a new place to live, he says.
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And he says Thanet District Council told him they can't help him get a home.
So for the last six weeks Gary has been sleeping at the seafront at Ramsgate, Kent.
Between work, he spends his days in the library applying for jobs and in a Wetherspoon’s pub drinking free-refill coffee.
He said: "I'm still shocked at how quickly things fell apart for me and I ended up homeless.
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"It's true what they say about everyone only being two pay cheques away from poverty.
"You think it will never happen to you but it can so easily happen to any one of us.
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"I've always worked hard and paid my taxes and national insurance. I thought I'd always be safe and secure.
"Suddenly I had no place to live, no money and no help.
"There's only so long you can stay with friends or borrow money.
"Sleeping rough is very scary. I've been woken by a hand on my shoulder and someone telling me 'you're on my patch'.
"It's cold, and frightening, and I rarely sleep. I doze off a bit then wake up suddenly and very alert - it's horrible.
"When I see the lights on in people's houses it reminds me that once that was me, and now I'm on the other side.
"It's heartbreaking. I put on a happy face at work, but I know at the end of the day I have to leave and have no safe place to sleep."
Gary stopped working full-time as a cook in a care home after he struggled to recover fully from Long Covid - which he had for a year from November 2021, he said.
It's cold, and frightening, and I rarely sleep. I doze off a bit then wake up suddenly and very alert - it's horrible.
Gary Evans
He had pneumonia in both lungs and was in hospital for a week, he said, so couldn't go back to working 200-hour months.
He took a part-time position in the ticket office and shop at an amusement park, where he still works between 8 and 25 hours a month.
He also receives universal credit because his job is seasonal.
Gary left his rented flat in October because he took a live-in cooking and cleaning job, but his plans fell through when the lady he was due to work for died, he said.
He asked Thanet District Council for help getting a new home, in January, but was told they couldn't, he said.
Some of his belongings are in four suitcases stored at friends' houses.
Gary takes one suitcase of essentials around with him.
He said: "I still can't really understand how this has happened to me.
"I know it has but somewhere in my mind I can't quite accept it.
"I know it's temporary. I'm going to get another job and a home and get myself out of this situation - I'm not giving up.
"It's just very hard.
"Everywhere is so expensive.
"Everyone needs a deposit. I got the deposit back when I left my flat but I needed that to live.
I guess I feel a bit sad and resentful that the council can't help me. I feel like they should be there for everyone
Gary Evans
"There's just nothing available at the moment and lots don't take people who are on benefits.
"I guess I feel a bit sad and resentful that the council can't help me. I feel like they should be there for everyone."
Gary said he's met some very kind people and had some fascinating experiences - including spotting wildlife like beavers and foxes.
"I've seen the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets," he said.
"You see the best and worst of human nature.
"Some people give you all the change they have to get some food, even though I don't ask, and some cafes ask you to leave as soon as you're done with your tea even though they're not busy.
Homelessness help
HERE is some useful information if you are homeless or know someone who is experiencing homelessness.
FIRST CONTACT
If you or someone you know is sleeping rough you can use the alert Streelink service to help connect them with outreach services: www.thestreetlink.org.uk/start
FOOD
You can find free food stations via:
The Pavement - for food and soup runs: www.thepavement.org.uk/services
Homeless Link - for day centres: www.homeless.org.uk
The Trussell Trust - for food banks: www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/
Food Cycle - for food services - www.foodcycle.org.uk/free-food-locations/
HOUSING
Councils have a duty to help people who are homeless or facing homelessness. Contact the Housing Options team from the council you have a local connection to and see if they can offer:
- Emergency accommodation - a place in a shelter or a hostel
- Longer-term accommodation including independent or social housing
Visit: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
During times of severe cold or heat, local councils have special accommodation known as Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). Find out more here: www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
For advice, support or legal services related to housing visit www.shelter.co.uk or call 0808 800 4444.
You can also contact Crisis: www.crisis.org.uk/get-help/
For housing advice, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or visit: www.shelter.org.uk.
DAY CENTRES
Day centres can help by providing internet access, free or cheap food, shower and laundry facilities, safe storage for belongings, phone charging and clothes, toiletries or sleeping bags.
They can also help with services for benefits or immigration advice; health support; finding work; educational or social activities; hostel, night shelter or outreach referrals.
Centres can be found through Homeless Link: www.homeless.org.uk/
BENEFITS
Normally you can claim Universal Credit if you are sleeping on the streets or staying in a hostel. If you are in a hostel, you can claim Housing Benefit to help with rent. You do not need a fixed address or a bank account.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Crisis - visit: www.crisis.org.uk or call 0300 636 1967.
Shelter - visit: www.shelter.org.uk or call 0808 800 4444.
Centrepoint (for people aged 16-25) - visit: www.centrepoint.org.uk or call 0808 800 0661.
St Mungo’s (Bath, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Christchurch, Leicester, Oxford, Poole and Reading) - visit: www.mungos.org or call 020 3856 6000.
Depaul UK (for young people) - visit: https://www.depaul.org.uk/ or call 0207 939 1220.
Citizen's Advice (legal advice) - visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call 0345 404 0506.
The Samaritans (health and wellbeing) - www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan or call 116 123.
"The saddest thing is the friends that don't speak to me anymore when I phone for a chat.
"When people ask I say I'm not homeless, I say 'I'm waiting for a lift.'"
A spokesperson for Thanet District Council said: "Thanet District Council works hard to prevent households from becoming homeless.
"We cannot comment on individual circumstances, but will always support people who require assistance, and liaise with other services and agencies to ensure anyone who is vulnerable gets the help they need."
According to the council, Gary was offered a bed space in a shared facility by the council's dedicated rough sleeping support team but he declined it on February 16, 2024.
It added there is currently a shortage of affordable housing.
Earler this month, a mum-of-three who was made homeless two years ago has told of how she and her kids are still living out of suitcases.
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In April this year, a couple revealed they were so desperate for somewhere to live they had taken to sleeping in a bus shelter.
An NHS ambulance worker has been forced to live in his tiny car after being made homeless.
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