YESTERDAY The Bolton News revealed the real-life stories of those living on the streets.

They included John, 39, who told of being subjected to humiliating attacks while sleeping in a car park.

John found himself on the streets after the death of his father, whose house he had been living in.

The stories prompted a huge reaction online. Here is what some readers had to say.

Shame on Bolton surely more can be done to help these poor people to start somewhere? Calling on all who can help from one Boltonian to another. We don’t realise how fortunate we are to sit in lovely homes with family at Christmas and all year round!

lmmj66

Must admit that I’ve often been in the “get off your backside and get a job” camp, but it’s clearly not that simple. Who’d really want to live a life where every day you were in danger of being abused, assaulted or stolen from? I often look at some of our homeless, particularly those who congregate near the Town Hall, and wonder why they think they should be supported by the rest of us when all they do is sit around, take drugs and get drunk. Maybe if all I had was the contents of a carrier bag that’s all I’d want to do as well. Government won’t help, council won’t help, police just move them on and if they’re unlucky enough to end up in court they get fined. What’s the point of fining someone for begging, if they had any money they wouldn’t be doing it in the first place!

The Running Man

Could churches and mosques open their doors to help these people during the cold nights, surely the congregations could help steer these people on the right path.

luppin250

It is plain for all to see that this country is going backwards. Universal Credit can be thanked for that. Austerity is another name for creating poverty.

last minuter

So in at least three of these cases, Bolton Council has put people on the streets because they couldn’t amend the name on the tenancy agreement? I get that there has to be rules around waiting lists etc but when the alternative is making someone homeless surely this can be avoided?

Westhoughtonlad

How is Bolton Council responsible for the actions of social housing providers who are throwing people onto the streets?

-Banks-

Makes me sad to see Dean, I have known him all my life. I’ll never judge him,life’s hard and to walk in his shoes for a day and feel what he feels is another man’s nightmare, god bless you all through the cold x

JUST BLUNTLY!

So what does the council say to someone who turns turn up homeless at BMBC housing after being thrown out of the family home because a parent/rent payer has died. Sorry no housing but here’s a sleeping bag instead ?

nosighparker