A lady who previously lived around the corner has taken up residence in our street in her car!  I cannot comment on why her house was sold whether it was rented and sold by landlord or repossessed but was for sale for a while.  Apparently she has been living from her car for three weeks now (I only noticed Sunday!) only this weekend moved from the original road into our street.  She is no problem to any neighbour but I feel so sorry for her.  I recognise her from College as she is an ex-student and looked on the database to see if she had a next of kin which is listed but more than my job's worth I realise to use this information.  I also noted it's her birthday today she is 49 today.  I'm feeling pretty horrid about this and yes maybe it's what she wants and I know she can be a bit fiery and does have some mental issues but surely nobody deserves to live in their car?  Would I be right in phoning Social Services or similar?  Any advice gratefully taken even if it's just to leave well alone x

Tell her to phone Shelter Line, the call is free and they have a team of experts including solicitors who can help her, in fact if she had contacted them earlier they would have probably been able to keep her in her home.   They are there not just to help homeless people but people in rent/mortgage arrears, poorly housed etc.

0808 800 444 http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-3033.cfm

I will possibly write the information on paper and put it on her car as I know she is fiery and it may be she doesn't want help and I don't want to upset her at all.  Thanks for that number I will certainly try and help from a distance though. 

I knew a homeless man and he actually liked being homeless.  He didn't want the confines of a home and material possessions.  However, not all homeless people want to be in the situation they're in and usually the Council have various points of contact for the homeless to get shelter.  Just maybe ask the question and if she doesn't want help then at least you asked.

CG

If she is unintentially homeless the council have a legal duty to provide temporary accommodation until secure accommodation can be found.  This may be in bed and breakfast or a homeless unit.  All the lady needs to do is present as homeless at the local Civic Centre (or equivalent) and she will be assessed for homeless status and given emergency accommodation.

On the other hand if she is intentionally homeless ie has turned down suitable accommodation or has suitable accommodation available to her (and that doesn't include the car), there is no legal duty.

I work in homelessness and it is rare that people who have got to the point of being homeless haven't been signposted by some agency or other so perhaps she may have chosen this route.

Andi

i know of a homeless person who is very very very rich, they just hate the trappings of society they said, i have known this person since i was a little girl and he has always lived rough, but he is so nice and you would not think he had two pennies to rub togethere
carolann