Homeless man who set up tent outside council offices given temporary home

The man, understood to be called ‘Neil’, pitched a tent in the vicinity of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Seafield House, in Kirkleatham Street, Redcar.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was alerted to the man’s plight by a worried member of the public, who said he had been there for about a month in often harsh weather conditions, although the local authority stated it was two weeks.

They said: “I am so concerned by him not being temporarily housed in the adverse weather and also ashamed that nobody seems to be doing anything to help him.”

The LDRS understands that council teams had been engaging with the man and were aware of his situation, but struggled to find a housing provider to take him on because of past issues.

Seafield House, just around the corner from the civic centre in Redcar, is one of the council’s main office blocks and contains staff working in children’s and adult services.

The council, in a statement, confirmed that the individual had been helped off the streets earlier this month and temporarily housed with a view to a more permanent solution being put in place.

Councillor Ursula Earl, cabinet member for health, welfare and housing, said: “A gentleman was sleeping outside Seafield House in Redcar for approximately two weeks.

“Support services from within the council engaged with him on multiple occasions over that period and a temporary housing solution has thankfully now been sourced, whilst plans are made to secure him a longer term housing solution.”