Deprived seaside town drowning under a rising tide of homelessness скачать в хорошем качестве

Deprived seaside town drowning under a rising tide of homelessness

A bone-chilling wind blows a squall of rain in from the North Sea, rattling across the torn canvas of a tent pitched between a public loo and an old folks' home. It is sheltered slightly by a stand of bushes which at least shield it from the curious gaze of dog walkers and any tourists prepared to brave the blustery weather. At various points along the sea front in the faded coastal resort of Bridlington, East Yorks, there are tents pitched, some easily visible, others carefully hidden in bushes and stands of trees. They are the last defence against the elements of a growing band of rough sleepers in a town whose public services are now drowning under a rising tide of homelessness. Shocking figures show that since 2021 the number of people considered homeless in East Yorkshire has increased five-fold, and Bridlington accounts for the vast majority of them. At the weekend the Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced controversial plans to ban homeless people from sleeping in tents on the street and claimed it was sometimes a "lifestyle choice". In Bridlington, tent dwellers told The Sun they had few options. One said: "No one chooses that life." A tattered grey tent on the seafront was accompanied by a smaller, yellow one-man version and just behind the promenade, carefully hidden away inside a sprawling bush, there was a third. In the town centre, tucked away underneath a flyover, another temporary canvas home was occupied by Mick, a wheelchair user who spends his nights there and his days flitting from one shop doorway to the next. It is estimated that there are 110 homeless people currently living in Bridlington. The historic port has one of the most deprived areas in England, with West Bridlington having the second lowest average wage in the country. The homeless crisis is placing a growing burden on the local authority as they try to find temporary accommodation for everyone who needs it. In 2021 East Riding of Yorkshire Council spent £26,000 on such housing - this year the total spend was £189,000. Many of those affected are 'sofa surfing,' moving from one friend's house to the next, desperately trying to keep a roof over their heads - and they are the lucky ones. Daniel Martin, a 42-year-old dad and a former builder, is currently one of Bridlington's homeless residents who survives in a tent. He's careful about how much he reveals about where he spends his nights. Clutching his bedding in a plastic carrier bag to keep it dry, Daniel said: "I don't like to tell too many people where I spend my nights, the tent is hidden. "People in this town are pretty understanding as it happens but if you're sleeping outside it's best not to be on view, it avoids any trouble and that's the last thing you want. "I'm from a travelling family anyway so it doesn't bother me to be sleeping outside, however, the winter is starting to come in and it's cold now, too cold to be in the tent much longer." He clutches a styrofoam coffee cup between his hands to warm them and is wearing a flat cap and three layers of thick clothing. Daniel's days are spent in the town centre, doing his best to stay under the radar of the locals, never loitering too long in one place. He adds: "I wasn't always like this, I was a builder and worked for years in a foundry, I was a proper hard worker because that's all I'd known. "I'm Scottish-born and grew up in Nottingham and Sheffield, I had a partner and I have kids who I still see as often as I can." The break-up of his relationship and a serious car accident that prevented him from working combined to put Daniel on the streets. He said: "I don't complain about it, this life isn't a miserable one and when it gets too cold I'll find a place indoors, moving around friends and probably the occasional B&B. "I have my income, I get £300-£400 in Universal Credit which keeps me in food and warm clothes, which is all I really need." Read more: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2464568... The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Read The Sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk Like The Sun on Facebook:   / thesun   Follow The Sun on Twitter:   / thesun   Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat:   / 1633225139