Homeless man was living in screened-in porch

A homeless man was released on personal bond after police say he was found living in a rear screened-in porch of a house converted to an office building in the 300 block of East Third Street.

Police got a call Nov. 20 about the screen being cut at the building, which most recently had housed a real estate firm.

Police said there were some clothes and blankets inside the porch.

Officers did an extra check of the building the next day and found the man, 54, formerly of Warren, asleep on the porch.

No entry was made into the main building and the man told police he had been staying there for about a month.

He is known to police, who say the man has been in the area for a number of years and suffers from alcoholism.

“He lost his house, job and family due to drinking,” said Royal Oak police Lt. Albert Carter. “Somehow he keeps on going.”

The man faces a misdemeanor charge for entering the property without permission.