After months on the streets, 63-year-old K now has a flat, support, and stability thanks to SHOC’s dedicated help.
K first came to SHOC in May 2023, he was staying with friends but they had asked him to leave their property due to overcrowding. K is a gentleman of 63 years of age and suffers from asthma, he also stated he was an occasional drinker.
At the beginning of June the eviction happened and K was rough sleeping, SHOC provided him with a sleeping bag, unfortunately we did not have any tents. K came to SHOC every day to stay safe and warm and to enjoy a hot meal and use the shower and laundry facilities.
In June 2023 SHOC joined the Rough Sleepers Team from Slough Borough Council and done an early morning outreach session. We were able to locate K rough sleeping and this was then verified by them as a genuine rough sleeper.
K was given an appointment to make a homeless application to the Housing Needs Team that day but it was not until 12th July that he was finally provided with a room in a local bed and breakfast. We continued to support K through the day, he would come in and sit and read books and chat to other guests.
In August 2023 K came in with a letter advising him that he had no priority need for housing and would have to leave the bed and breakfast. He was very distressed as this would mean him returning to the streets. They had placed him on the housing waiting list and we helped him to provide all relevant documents required.
We contacted the Rough Sleeping Team and advised them K had been found to have no priority need by the Housing Team and was once again going to be on the streets. We worked closely with the Rough Sleeping Team and they agreed to place K into a room in a shared house. We helped K to move and settle in and continued to support him.
K’s health had really gone downhill and he was struggling to walk, we managed to get him a GP appointment and he was diagnosed with Gout. We managed to get him walking aids and he was prescribed medication. At this point we helped K to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) due to his poor mobility and he was awarded this benefit.
In April 2024 after contacting the Housing Register Team K was offered his own one bedroom council flat in Slough. He was over the moon!! We helped K to move in and sorted out his utilities and furniture. K is now living independently, no longer requires SHOC services, but knows that we are on the end of the phone for any issues that may come up.