- [Interviewer] Homer, we're in London.
You're sleepin' rough.
This happens to me in the States
where I run into people that I knew.
This is Melvin across the street I interviewed last year,
but I interviewed you like four or five years ago.
- Yeah, that's right, it was, yeah, easy.
- [Interviewer] And you're still out here sleepin' rough?
- Yeah, yeah.
You know what I mean?
They did give me somewhere to live last year,
but it's not me, you know what I mean?
I'd rather be out here.
I feel safer out here (chuckles).
- [Interviewer] So they tried to put you in some place
that you didn't feel safe?
- I don't know, I just don't like it,
it's not a nice place at all.
You know what I mean?
I've still got the key to the room on me.
You know what I mean, here, look.
- [Interviewer] Oh, my gosh, you still got the key,
but you didn't feel safe inside?
- No, too much going on in there.
It was like a madhouse.
The nearest thing I could describe it to is a prison really.
- It's like a prison? - Yeah.
- [Interviewer] Oh my gosh.
- Yeah, I mean, it really is.
- [Interviewer] So how long did you stay?
- Six months, most of that time I was out here though.
You know what I mean?
I wasn't really there, you know what I mean?
I don't like it, you know what I mean?
That's all there is to it, like, it's like ...
I was in Wood Green for a bit
and the Council had had enough of me
so their answer was to get rid of me and me dog
and get us off the streets,
so then I've got no reason
to be on the streets in Wood Green,
sittin' down beggin' and makin' money like.
That was the whole idea of them puttin' me in there.
- [Interviewer] Were you out here this last winter?
- Yeah.
- [Interviewer] 'Cause it was cold out here.
- Nah, it wasn't that cold.
I've had colder ones, like, you know what I mean?
You wrap up right, you're all right, you know what I mean?
It's just like knowing what to do, you know what I mean?
Like wearin' a hat.
Basically put extra layers on.
But don't go to bed with all your clothes on at night.
You're gonna wake up freezin' your bollocks off, trust me.
- [Interviewer] Now, how long
have you been totally sleepin' rough?
I don't, I mean your video interview, I mean--
- For all in all, it's been like, where am I now?
- [Interviewer] How long?
- 24, 25, 26 years, all in all.
- [Interviewer] 26 years sleepin' rough on and off.
- Yeah.
- [Interviewer] Wow.
- All right, I suppose in that time
I've been in a couple of hostels on and off.
They ain't worked out, you know what I mean?
I do tend to spend more time out here.
Where I'm comfortable, like, it's what I know.
- [Interviewer] But you said you're goin' inside soon?
- Yeah, givin' it another go.
- [Interviewer] St. Mungo's is gonna get you inside?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [Interviewer] Do you know when that's gonna happen?
- Pretty soon hopefully, you know what I mean?
It's more for the dog than me,
'cause he's gotta rest his leg up.
He's got a bad leg at the moment.
He twisted his knee joint.
- [Interviewer] Oh my God.
- But it's not as bad as they first thought it was
but as long as he's restin' up all the time,
he's all right, you know what I mean?
- [Interviewer] So you want to go inside for your dog?
- Yeah, more than anything.
He's gettin' on now, he's nearly seven.
Well, he is seven, he's just turned seven, yeah.
I think he needs a bit of creature comforts,
know what I mean, know what I mean?
- [Interviewer] Wow, wow.
Well, I'm glad that St. Mungo's is helpin' you get inside.
- They're good people.
- [Interviewer] That way, next time I visit,
we won't run into each other.
(Homer laughs)
Or you could cook me dinner, how's that?
(Homer laughs)
- I might well be able to do that, yeah, you never know.
- [Interviewer] I'll take you to dinner, how's that?
We'll do that. - That's even better, yeah.
Hopefully it'll all work out.
- [Interviewer] Yeah, yeah?
- Know what I mean, like?
I'm not getting any younger, you know what I mean?
- [Interviewer] Yeah, true.
Well, when you go inside, tell St. Mungo's, they know me,
and I'll come visit you.
I'll do the story of you inside.
(Homer chuckles)
With your pup. - That's all right, yeah.
- [Interviewer] And that's how, I mean,
it was your hat and the dog across the street,
I said, "No way, that can't be him."
And sure enough, oh my God!
Well, you look good.
- You wouldn't have said that yesterday.
- [Interviewer] Yeah, yesterday was a bad day?
- Yeah, a very bad day.
I crashed on the bus and everything.
- [Interviewer] Oh, I'm sorry.
- Come round in the hospital.
- [Interviewer] You was in the hospital for a while?
- Yeah, yeah.
- [Interviewer] Who takes care of your dog
when you're--
- Well, I don't know.
Luckily, some friends of mine grabbed hold of the dog,
you know what I mean?
But that's what I mean, I discharged myself
from the hospital, 'cause I wanted to find the dog.
It comes with everything, unfortunately, right?
- [Interviewer] So how long were you in the hospital,
or you just go for--
- I ain't got a clue, I ain't got a clue.
I just discharged myself soon as I woke up.
I just discharged myself.
To top it all off, they cut all me clothes off me.
Where's the mentality in people these days?
So I had to walk down the road with me clothes
and a pair of boxer shorts on, you know?
I had to go round to Ben's house
and get some clothing off him, like.
Not very ...
- [Interviewer] So, you've been out here 26 years,
watchin' people just walk by?
- Walk by, yeah, I mean, I've been all over the country.
I was up north, where I was last year, two year ago,
three year ago now.
I went all the way up to Durham.
Never again, never again, like.
That was meant to be a new start, but it didn't work out.
- [Interviewer] Well, if you had three wishes,
what would they be?
- God ...
If I could be settled,
properly settled.
Get in touch with me daughter.
And just have a long life, be nice.
- [Interviewer] Great wishes.
Well, thank you very much for talking to me.
It's been really good to see you.
- And you, mate.
I do remember you, like, I remember your face.
I can't remember your name, though,
from the last time we met.
That was a long time ago.
- [Interviewer] It was, it was.
I remember every person I meet out here, though.
It's funny, I can't remember where I parked my car,
(Homer chuckles)
but I can remember all the rough sleepers
that I meet when I travel. - That's good.
- [Interviewer] Every one of you have made my life better.
- That's good.
- [Interviewer] By just your stories,
how you guys just existing out here on the streets,
and you make it day to day,
it's nothing short of a miracle.
- I think, well, especially the way
the world is today, right?
You know what I mean?
You know what I mean, but, yeah, it is a miracle.
- [Interviewer] You're 26 years out here,
and you're still goin'.
That's a miracle, that encourages me,
whatever problems I'm goin' through,
that's how it makes my life better,
because I look at all you guys, and listen to your stories,
and I'm encouraged.
- There's always someone worse off, ain't there?
That's what keeps me goin',
knowin' that someone else is worse off than me out there.
- [Interviewer] Well, thank you very much for talking to me.
- All right, it's been a pleasure.
Nice to see you again.
Thank you for the socks.