"This Christmas a tent is our home"
HOMELESS couple Cathy Johnson and Lee Simms have been left camping in Pittville Park after losing their jobs.
And the pair believe they have become victims of the system after the council failed to find them anywhere to live.
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Our home: Cathy Johnson, 29, and Lee Simms, 38, with their dog, Storm, who live in a tent in Pittville Park, Cheltenham
Under guidelines laid out nationally, the obligation to rehouse them lies with the local authority where they originally lost their house.
As the couple became homeless in Cornwall, Cheltenham Borough Council is under no obligation to find them accommodation.
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For the last six weeks, 29-year-old Cathy and her 38-year-old partner Lee have been sharing a tent with their dog, Storm. They had originally met in the county before moving to Cornwall to find work.
Cathy had been working in telesales until the company she was working for liquidated, while her partner drove a tractor before being laid off.
Cathy said: "All I want is my own room with the person I love, and the dog I love, and to feel safe."
The couple have already been told by borough council officers that they must leave "without delay".
An eviction notice was handed to them on December 6, warning them they would be moved by force if they failed to comply.
Outreach worker, Craig Fraser, from Gloucestershire homeless charity Gear, works with the borough council to help deal with the issue in the town.
Relationship
He warned the council should not be trying to evict the couple.
Mr Fraser said: "All it takes is a breakdown of a relationship, a loss of employment, then you are on the streets. We are all only two pay cheques away from being homeless."
They claimed they were approached by two police officers during the Open racing weekend in November after complaints from residents about them camping in the park.
Alexa Collicott, spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Constabulary, confirmed the PSCOs had spoken to the couple.
She said: "The council is responsible for the land and supporting any homeless people in the town, but police officers regularly carry out welfare checks on the couple when out on patrol, especially during this much colder weather."
Cheltenham Borough Council's housing and communities manager, Martin Stacy, said the couple had been approached on several occasions to discuss their housing options, and they had not approached the authority for help.
He added: "We commission Cheltenham Housing Aid Centre to deliver Assertive Outreach Services for rough sleepers. Chac has visited this couple on several occasions with a view to encouraging them to see our staff at Cheltenham First Stop on the lower High Street to seek advice about their housing options.
"We are also aware they are receiving support from a Gear worker to try to achieve the same end.
"To date they have not approached our service for assistance."
Councillor Peter Jeffries (LD, Springbank), cabinet member for housing and safety, said: "Living in a tent in a public park is not a solution to the couple's accommodation needs."
OPINION, P8
Comments
by Steve_Thomas
Saturday, December 22 2012, 2:13AM
“To those who say they should get a job, Ms Johnson already has a job - selling the Big Issue. The hours are long, profits are slim and competition for pitches intense. It probably takes her a week to earn what most of us earn in an hour. But it's one of the few jobs that are open to homeless people. Give her a break and buy one of her magazines.”
by brownmate
Friday, December 21 2012, 11:31PM
“Hi Zedbee1 you're quite right. It's Christmas.
So you'll be letting them stay at your house?”
by Mdolla
Friday, December 21 2012, 10:39PM
“Yet if they were immigrants the council would be falling over themselves to give them a 10 bedroom mansion with all the furnishings.
And to the person who said there's loads of seasonal jobs out there, it's simply not true. I have had 7 interviews and didn't get one job out of it. On one interview I attended 70 people had applied for the job!”
by Zedbee1
Friday, December 21 2012, 7:50PM
“Nice to see that these people are full of Christmas spirit! Where is your empathy?
It is seriously hard losing a job and can really hit people's confidence especially in this situation I imagine where both have lost their jobs and home...followed by having to resort to camping in a park in full view of the public, feeling freezing cold, grubby and tired. Have a heart people! Don't assume that it's so easy to go out and get a job when you have no address.
Inreally feel for these two, along with all the other rough sleepers who are cold every day of the year. Yes life is seriously tough for some people and we should think about that when we're sitting in the warm, and think about what we can do to help.”
by uggers2k
Friday, December 21 2012, 7:13PM
“Whilst I pity there situation, this couple is the problem with society. There are plenty of seasonal jobs at the moment, and rather than sitting all day in a tent feeling sorry for themselves, I suggest they look for work and see about getting a place to live. There is no excuses. There is no need for being homeless in today's day and age.”
by Ms_Superstar
Friday, December 21 2012, 6:17PM
“"Cheltenham Borough Council's housing and communities manager, Martin Stacy, said the couple had been approached on several occasions to discuss their housing options, and they had not approached the authority for help."
I find it very hard to believe the couple have approached, and indeed received help and advice from, GEAR, Cheltenham Open Door and Trinity Church among others, but have not approached the council's own housing aid charity. Why wouldn't they?”
by Richardburton
Friday, December 21 2012, 5:51PM
“I have seen a job on indeed which might be suitable for them? I didn't pay to much attention to it as it's not the sort of job i can do. Is there any one reading this who knows the couple and what type of work they want? I think it's something to do with cows.”
by Bonkim2003
Friday, December 21 2012, 8:08AM
“It is absurd to blame the council in this instance - the two ought to take responsibility, get rid of the dog and return to Cornwall where the council has a duty to house them. Cheltenham council has at least tried and their explanations/advice quite balanced.
Unless they approach the local council, and cooperate they have no right to expect sympathy. Life is harsh, play by the rules, one cannot expect everything to be dished out on a plate.”