Agony in a tent city
JAMES Devine never thought that he’d be homeless.
But after years working around the world in the high rises of Dubai, Shanghai and Hong Kong, he will have nowhere to live by the end of this week.
The 62-year-old is not a gambler, doesn’t do drugs and has held down jobs abroad over the last 10 years.
But when his last contract as a software consultant in Nigeria fell through, he decided to come back to Scotland.
Despite 500 job applications, and what he thought was enough money saved up to pay for accommodation until he had a steady income, the call-backs never came and the cash ran out.
Now, after months of sofa-surfing and having no fixed address, he is stuck.
“I honestly believe that I would be better off in Africa, because my own country can’t look after me,” said eloquent, softly spoken James.
“I used to speak about Britain with such pride. I’d tell people, ‘Go and visit Britain, it’s great.’ Now I realise, the biggest mistake I’ve ever made is to come back.”
James grew up in East Kilbride with his English mother and Scottish father.
He left Scotland at 18, finding jobs across the globe in shipping, software and oil.
Now in his more advanced years, he just wants to be able to live in his own country.
He said: “At my age, I should be spending my pension money, not worrying about where I’m going to sleep.
“I just want to work and earn money to secure a roof over my head.”
James returned to Scotland in August with some money that he had saved from his work abroad.
This went on hostels and B&Bs and by November, it had run out. With no close family nearby and no job offers, he was soon scrabbling for accommodation.
He has slept on sofas around Glasgow but has also experienced the cold city streets and the homeless shelters he describes as “frightening.” He said: “That’s the scary stuff with the drugs and robberies.
“I’m not like that. I don’t even drink. If I needed support for drugs or alcohol problems, I’m sure I’d have been given a roof over my head by now.
“But I don’t and I feel like I’ve slipped through the cracks in the system.”
Just before Christmas, James found work as a packer in a factory. But the contract was seasonal, and the money didn’t last long.
“I’m a member of 50 job alert sites, I’ve applied for 500 positions and I’ve had three interviews, but I think my age, and the fact I have been abroad, counts against me.
“I have a background in software and accountancy, but whatever the work is, I’ll do it. Sweeping, packing, you name it, I’ll do it.”
The cruel reality is that with only jobseeker’s allowance to live off, his best chance of a return to normal life may be further afield.
He said: “I have friends in Uganda. The few pounds in my pocket that I have will go much further out there.
“I have lived in some atrocious countries and THE RECORD told last month how joiner Joe Carmichael was living in a homeless village that had sprung up in Glasgow city centre after losing his home.
Grandfather-of-four Joe, who is 50 in April, told how he battled to stay warm amid temperatures hitting -7C as he lay on a rock-hard frozen tent floor.
Joe’s £20 tent was donated by a homeless charity, who have handed out the “homes” to desperate souls who gather under the George V Bridge.
After our story he was given temporary accommodation by Glasgow City Council.