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A group of homeless people have been living in the Victorian shelter in Marine Drive, opposite Margate’s Main Sands, for several months.
Speaking exclusively to KentOnline's sister paper the Thanet Extra, Gary, 34, told us about his experience over the last five months living in the shelter.
He said: “I sit and cry myself to sleep at night because I shouldn’t have to do this.
“A few weeks ago I was set on fire. I’ve had enough and I am at the point of suicide.”
“I am not going to lie, I am an alcoholic and I am being sick every morning.
“My health is a mess, I have a cyst on my brain and a damaged liver. I get no sleep because I am so nervous and anxious about everything.
“I have been spat on, punched, kicked, I have had my clothes stolen and few weeks ago I was set on fire.
“Nobody wants to live a life like this, it is embarrassing. If I could get out of this situation I would, all I want is to get back in contact with my daughter.
“I feel like we have been neglected and I am ashamed to be living like this.”
While the situation for the people staying in the shelter is difficult, there is a support network for people like Gary.
While our reporter was at the shelter a van pulled up, beeped his horn and beckoned him over. The driver wound down the window and handed him a pizza.
After walking back over and eating a couple of slices, offering some to another man living in the shelter named David, he closed the box and said he was saving the rest for people that would be coming later.
“The amount of support we get from the general public has been amazing and without them we would be dead...” - Gary, 34
Gary explained: “The amount of support we get from the general public has been amazing and without them we would be dead.”
A Portuguese man by the name of Cassese also paid a visit to the men.
Cassese comes by every day, bringing essential items such as bedding. This time he had a camping stove for them to warm food on.
As he left, he offered Gary and David a bath at his home in Margate if they knocked on his door later that day.
Homelessness charity Porchlight is working with members of the group to help them into suitable accommodation.
Chris Coffey, Porchlight’s head of community services, said: “Our aim is to help people access the right support as quickly as possible, because the longer they are on the streets the more harm they will come to.”
Palm Bay resident Lucinda Duxbury-Smith, 62, is also concerned for the people.
She said: “I feel guilty getting into my bed at night. I have tried calling the council three times but I have given up on them because nothing is being done. I am annoyed that nobody seems interested.
“Everything I give away, I give to charities for the homeless. They are wide open to the elements and these people need some help.”
David told us more about his situation.
The 45-year-old said: “I got out of prison 18 months ago, I was drinking a little bit too much at home, I had an argument with my wife and she kicked me out.
“I knew Gary and he said for me to stay here with him.
“I have never been homeless in all my life. It is so embarrassing when people hand you stuff.
"I have never been homeless in all my life. It is so embarrassing when people hand you stuff" - David
“I have been to the council every day since I was kicked out of my house and each time I am told I am not an emergency.
“I am slowly giving up, my health has deteriorated.”
Both Kent County Council and Thanet District Council have placed signs on the shelter ordering the homeless people to move on.
Thanet District Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for community services Cllr Lin Fairbrass (Ukip) said: “The council has been working closely with a number of agencies to offer advice and support to the individuals camping in the Victorian Shelter in Margate.
“Repeated visits have been made to offer support, housing advice and referrals relating to their individual circumstances.
“Despite continuing to encourage more suitable living arrangements, a number of individuals are continuing to camp in the shelter – including some individuals who are not homeless.
“Damage and vandalism have also been caused to the historic structure.
“The council wants to ensure that anyone who finds themselves without accommodation is offered advice and support to tackle any underlying issues to enable them to be in a position to maintain accommodation for the long term that is suitable to their needs.
“The welfare of the individuals involved continues to be a priority, but when their engagement with support services is limited, this has to be balanced with the impact on the wider public.”
Margate Central ward councillor Iris Johnston said: "I have done a lot of work with homeless individuals over the years.
“I became aware of the increasing numbers of people staying under the shelter during the bad weather and I contacted the council to see what support there was for these people.
“I had a recent meeting with Porchlight and they are engaging with some of the individual needs people in the shelter have.
“I am receiving complaints from the general public about the ‘mess’ in Margate but you cannot attribute this all to the homeless.
“The council has also advised me they’ve served a notice to the people in the shelter and I would urge any homeless person to make arrangements to meet councillors like me at the Gateway.
“Some people have complex problems brought on by their life experiences and life history. Everyone is an individual and they should be treated as such.”
Actions taken by Thanet District Council and a number of agencies and organisations including Kent Police and KCC include:
The council offers information and advice relating to housing or support needs, telephone 01843 577000 or visit the Gateway building in Cecil Square. Porchlight can also be contacted on 01227 760078.
