AFTER weeks of rough sleeping in a disused shop, a man has settled into a new home, Wychavon District Council has confirmed.

Members of the public were concerned after the old Argos store in Evesham was boarded up. A man had previously placed a tent outside the building.

Gay Lloyd, Principal Housing Officer at Wychavon said: “We’ve been working with a rough sleeper in Evesham who has been situated outside Argos for a number of weeks. We’ve worked to support his personal and housing needs and encouraged him to take up accommodation. We’re pleased that he has now taken up that offer and since last week he has been living in a property locally.

She continued:“It’s important to remember that no-one has to sleep on the streets and the offer of accommodation is always there. However, rough sleepers who have become entrenched in that way of living can struggle due to many other issues connected to, for example, adverse childhood experiences, unemployment, poor physical health, substance misuse or mental health. That’s why we’re working to support rough sleepers by not just getting a roof over their heads, but with wrap around support to help keep them off the streets. Anyone worried about a rough sleeper can use StreetLink to alert us.”

A talk on homelessness in Evesham will take place on June 20 at the Christian Centre, Bewdley Street, Evesham, from 7:30. The talk will be held by Diane Bennett, who has worked with the homeless in the town. There will be a Q and A for members of the public and information packs will be given out. It will give the public the opportunity to find out what is being done in Evesham to help the homeless, which agencies are helping and where people can get help if they need it.

Also attending will be MOATS (Maggs outreach and transition centre) and a Wychavon homeless prevention officer.

The talk has been organised by Councillor Sue Smith and Mary Campbell, supported by Evesham mayor Mark Goodge.

Cllr Smith said at a recent Evesham Town Council meeting that homelessness in Evesham has been hotly debated on social media with many people wanting to help.

Information can also be found on wychavon.gov.uk/homelessness.