Published: 16 February 2012
by GEORGIA GRAHAM

A HOMELESS man spent seven months living in a wooded area of West Hampstead with his belongings wrapped in plastic bags hanging on trees.

The man, thought to be in his late 60s, left the site near the railway lines behind Billy Fury Way this week after passers-by grew worried about his safety and the New Journal made calls about his case.

As temperatures plummeted to minus 5 degrees last week, he was still camped out with duvets and umbrellas for cover.

In the shadow of a Homebase store and a huge new development of student flats, his makeshift home was hidden from view by trees for much of the year.

But as the trees lost their leaves his suitcases, shopping trolleys, boxes and bags were revealed, prompting businesses, developers and councillors to voice concern about his plight.

The man, who does not wish to be named for his own protection, was finally coaxed into accommodation after the New Journal contacted the council and Camden’s mental health ser­vices.

The newspaper was told last week by the man’s mental health worker that it was impossible to get him to leave the woodland – but within days he was in secure, warm accommodation.

His ordeal has raised questions about how homeless support and health services can resolve long-running cases.

Bob Baker, director of The Simon Community, which runs a homeless centre and cold weather shelter in Malden Road, Kentish Town, said: “It is really a terrible fact that, in this big, sophisticated rich society, we would have an issue of anyone sleeping out in temperatures that could kill you throughout the winter, but we do.”

West Hampstead Lib Dem councillor Gillian Risso-Gill said: “There were serious concerns that someone was living so close to such a big building site, right next to live railway lines and different businesses.”

A spokeswoman for Camden Council said: “The Safer Streets team has been working with the rough sleeper since the end of last year to make sure he can access relevant specialist services.

“He has accessed temporary accommodation and the Safer Streets team will continue to work intensively with him to ensure that a sustainable outcome is achieved.”