Nurse plans to buy homes for the homeless

A nurse who provides treatment and support for homeless people is trying to buy a property for those who are unlikely to be able to get their own place.

Tony Norman, who works for a Fylde Coast health care provider in Lancashire, often sees how living on the streets can have a devastating effect on people's health.

In his job, he can ensure homeless patients - some of whom are very vulnerable - get to see a GP and he personally helps with issues such as looking after wounds.

Norman says the most frustrating thing is the difficulty many people on the streets have in getting a place to live, despite help for homeless people being available via various organisations in Blackpool.

If they do not meet eligibility criteria, he says some homeless people fall between the cracks and cannot get a flat. This means they do not have their own space where they can shut the door behind them and feel safe.

Norman says even taking medication is hard on the street because it can be lost or stolen.

Supported by a small number of work colleagues, the 55-year-old nurse is trying to raise funds to buy a property which he hopes can be the first of several safe spaces for homeless people.

Tony, who lives in Lytham, says: "I want to help homeless people break those barriers which are holding them back.

"If you're trying to get a flat, you will have no chance if you don't have things like references, up-front bond payments and a guarantor, which many homeless are unable to provide.

"I know quite a few homeless people may not be suitable to suddenly have the responsibility of having their own place, paying rent.

"But some would be ready, if only they could get through the barriers.

"They could really turn their lives around and not struggle with all the issues that go with being homeless."

Via an online fundraising page, he is trying to raise an initial £11,000 towards buying a property.

He says the first occupants would not need to provide references, bonds or guarantors.

He says he would effectively be a non-profit landlord, via a company he is setting up, called Street Homeless Blackpool, with rents paid directly by their housing benefit.

Norman explains: "Private landlords are reluctant to let [to] clients with no recent address history, without references or guarantors, which these clients do not have.

"We would like to purchase properties to let these clients build that history.

"All funds will go to obtaining properties and all rents received will be used to maintain and acquire further properties.

"Building a property portfolio specifically for the street homeless."