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Peter Rice |
Homeless seek shelter from freezing weather
ROUGH sleepers from across the capital converged on an emergency shelter in Islington as temperatures plummeted below freezing this week.
A former care home in Margery Street, Mount Pleasant, was converted at the 11th hour into Severe Weather Emergency Provision by homeless charity St Mungo’s on Tuesday.
Homeless people began arriving as soon as the doors opened, desperate to get off the sub-zero streets.
Michael Wall, 55, spent Christmas and the last eight weeks sleeping rough in back alleys and shop doorways in Finsbury Park. Partially sighted and paralysed in his right leg after a stroke last year, Mr Wall lost his flat in Luton eight weeks ago after the council stopped paying his rent benefit.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been homeless,” he said.
“I lost the flat through no fault of my own. I was so shattered – I thought London could offer me something ’cos it’s the city. So far I’ve drawn a blank.”
Mr Wall, who slept rough without a blanket, now suffers from a chest infection.
He is hoping the emergency shelter will be the first step to a place of his own.
The shelter offers beds, food, clothing and support for up to 80 people while the temperatures remain below zero.
St Mungo’s outreach manager, Luton Sinfield, said: “This really is an emergency. When the temperature drops to these levels there is a real danger that people will lose their lives.
“It’s vital that in the 21st century we save people from these terrible conditions.”
Retired electrician Peter Rice, 63, found himself out on the streets five weeks ago when his 30-year marriage ended.
He said: “My sister lives up North; there was nobody else.
“I sheltered wherever the police wouldn’t move me on and I slept in what I was wearing.
“My suitcase was stolen with all my money in it so I couldn’t go anywhere.
“I never thought it would be me. You don’t realise how difficult it is to get out of this position. On a night like this the cold would wake you up. You just want a home.”
Mr Sinfield added: “We’re dealing with people with a lot of broken relationships, who don’t necessarily know how to rebuild them. People have to realise how difficult change is for people who get stuck on the streets.”
And more stories like these can be expected as the economic downturn worsens, warned Mr Sinfield.
“We’re very worried about the effect it will have on the housing supply, and financial support for our company. You’ll end up with more problems on the street.” |
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