Man is left homeless at 65 after he gave up his flat to be a live-in carer for a woman who died just before he was due to start the job

A 65-year-old man has been left homeless after he gave up his flat to be a live-in carer for a woman who died days before starting the job. 

Gary Evans gave up his private rental flat of 13 years for a new job as a live-in carer in October 2023, but his plans fell through when the woman he was due to care for died just before he was set to start work.

He burned through his minimal savings of £500 in a matter of weeks after staying in hotels and with friends while he tried to find alternative accommodation.

Having worked his whole life, Gary left his job full-time as a cook in a care home after he struggled to recover fully from long covid before finding a part-time role at an amusement park where he earns between £200 and £700 a month.

But Gary said this simply isn't enough to rent a new place, meaning he has been forced to spend his nights on the streets, which he says is 'cold and frightening', adding that some of his friends have even stopped talking to him. 

For the last six weeks Gary has been sleeping at the seafront at Ramsgate, Kent. 

Between work, he spends his days in the library applying for jobs and in Wetherspoon drinking free-refill coffee.

He said: 'I'm still shocked at how quickly things fell apart for me and I ended up homeless.

'It's true what they say about everyone only being two pay cheques away from poverty. You think it will never happen to you but it can so easily happen to any one of us.

'I've always worked hard and paid my taxes and national insurance. I thought I'd always be safe and secure.

'Suddenly I had no place to live, no money and no help. There's only so long you can stay with friends or borrow money.

'Sleeping rough is very scary. I've been woken by a hand on my shoulder and someone telling me "you're on my patch".

'It's cold, and frightening, and I rarely sleep. I doze off a bit then wake up suddenly and very alert - it's horrible.

'When I see the lights on in people's houses it reminds me that once that was me, and now I'm on the other side.

'It's heartbreaking. I put on a happy face at work, but I know at the end of the day I have to leave and have no safe place to sleep.'

Gary stopped working full-time as a cook in a care home after he struggled to recover fully from long covid - which he had for a year from November 2021, he said.

He had pneumonia in both lungs and was in hospital for a week, he said, so couldn't go back to working 200-hour months.

He took a part-time position in the ticket office and shop at an amusement park, where he still works between 8 and 25 hours a month.

He also receives up to £393 in universal credit because his job is seasonal.

After becoming homeless, Gary asked Thanet District Council for help getting a new home, in January, but was told they couldn't, he said.

Some of his belongings are in four suitcases stored at friends' houses and he takes another bag of essentials around with him.

He said: 'I still can't really understand how this has happened to me. I know it has but somewhere in my mind I can't quite accept it.

'I know it's temporary. I'm going to get another job and a home and get myself out of this situation - I'm not giving up.

'It's just very hard. Everywhere is so expensive. Everyone needs a deposit. I got the deposit back when I left my flat but I needed that to live.

'There's just nothing available at the moment and lots don't take people who are on benefits.

'I guess I feel a bit sad and resentful that the council can't help me. I feel like they should be there for everyone.'

Gary said he's met some very kind people and had some fascinating experiences - including spotting wildlife like beavers and foxes.

'I've seen the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets,' he said. But he has also seen 'the best and worst of human nature.'

'Some people give you all the change they have to get some food, even though I don't ask, and some cafes ask you to leave as soon as you're done with your tea even though they're not busy.

'The saddest thing is the friends that don't speak to me anymore when I phone for a chat. When people ask I say I'm not homeless, I say "I'm waiting for a lift".'

Thanet District Council has been approached for comment.

Man is left homeless at 65 after he gave up his flat to be a live-in carer for a woman who died just before he was due to start the job