By Kate Pounds

A 65-year-old who worked all his life but suddenly found himself on the streets has warned homelessness can happen “so easily”.

When Gary Evans left his private rental flat of 13 years to embark on a fresh career as a live-in carer it was impossible to predict the devastating chain of events to follow.

With the woman he cared for dying, Mr Evans quickly burnt through his £500 savings on hotels, and found his amusement park job wages and benefits insufficient for a home.

The ticket-office worker has now been forced on the “cold and frightening” streets of Ramsgate for the past six weeks.

He earns between £200 and £700 a month, depending on the season, with up to £393 universal credit, in the lower months.

Mr Evans said: “I'm still shocked at how quickly things fell apart for me and I ended up homeless.

"It's true what they say about everyone only being two pay cheques away from poverty.

"You think it will never happen to you but it can so easily happen to any one of us.

"I've always worked hard and paid my taxes and national insurance. I thought I'd always be safe and secure.

"Suddenly I had no place to live, no money and no help.

"There's only so long you can stay with friends or borrow money.”

He claims that when he told Thanet District Council about his situation, the authority said it could not help him.

Despite sleeping rough, the Ramsgate resident, who left his rented accommodation last October, has continued his job.

"It's heartbreaking,” he says.

“I put on a happy face at work, but I know at the end of the day I have to leave and have no safe place to sleep.

“When I see the lights on in people's houses it reminds me that once that was me, and now I'm on the other side.

“I guess I feel a bit sad and resentful that the council can't help me. I feel like they should be there for everyone."

Between work, he spends his days in the library applying for jobs and in Wetherspoons drinking free-refill coffee.

Some of his belongings are in four suitcases stored at friends' houses.

Gary takes one suitcase of essentials around with him.

He added: “Sleeping rough is very scary.

“I've been woken by a hand on my shoulder and someone telling me 'you're on my patch'.

"It's cold, and frightening, and I rarely sleep. I doze off a bit then wake up suddenly and very alert - it's horrible.

“I know it's temporary. I'm going to get another job and a home and get myself out of this situation - I'm not giving up.

"It's just very hard. Everywhere is so expensive.

"Everyone needs a deposit. I got the deposit back when I left my flat but I needed that to live.

"There's just nothing available at the moment and lots don't take people who are on benefits.”

Despite his hardship, Mr Evans has managed to find a silver lining.

“I've seen the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets," he said.

"You see the best and worst of human nature.

"Some people give you all the change they have to get some food, even though I don't ask, and some cafes ask you to leave as soon as you're done with your tea even though they're not busy.

"The saddest thing is the friends that don't speak to me anymore when I phone for a chat.

"When people ask I say I'm not homeless, I say 'I'm waiting for a lift.'"

A Thanet District Council spokesman said the authority “works hard to prevent households from becoming homeless.”

”We cannot comment on individual circumstances, but will always support people who require assistance, and liaise with other services and agencies to ensure anyone who is vulnerable gets the help they need.”