Man 'made homeless' by council just before he goes to rehab and is rehoused - claim

The council has claimed the man had broken social housing disciplinary rules. But James Walsh, a friend of 43-year-old Mark Foster, argued there were no outstanding issues and said Mr Foster was long-term homeless before he was housed by Havant Borough Council with provider Two Saints Housing.

Mr Walsh, 53, said he was told by Mr Foster that he lived at Two Saints until he was handed a letter on July 3 saying he was no longer considered vulnerable enough to be housed, which effectively made him homeless again. He said Mr Foster is due to be moved to detox and rehab units in a month, after which he would be permanently housed.

Mr Walsh, of Tennyson Crescent in Waterlooville, said there was “no understandable reason” for the move.

“[He] had no outstanding disciplinary issues with Two Saints,” he said. “He is perplexed at the situation and now is back on the streets for a month until his detox placement.”

Cabinet lead for housing Councillor Amy Redsull told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Havant Borough Council, working in partnership with Two Saints, provides homes with specialist support to assist the occupants until they are ready to move on. A tenancy agreement is signed and is expected to be adhered to.

“Owing to the nature of the placement, once several warnings, concerning disciplinary issues contravening the agreement, have been issued we have no other option than to cease that tenancy. We are continuing to work with Mr Foster and the offer of financial aid to access private rented accommodation is available to him.”