LUCEA, Hanover — The Poor Relief Department in Hanover is currently contemplating leasing a property to house a 57-year-old man from this Hanover community who has been living in less-than-ideal conditions for more than a decade.

The ramshackle board structure that Earnest England calls home is located in Haughton Meadows, which is in close proximity to the Hanover Parish Court.

Additionally, the land that England occupies does not belong to him, which makes it difficult for the Government or private sector donor agencies to construct a house for him.

Government funding cannot be used to construct a house unless the applicant can provide proof of ownership or a permission letter that grants the applicant access rights to the land.

The Hanover Municipal Corporation was hoping that the land belonged to the Government. However, following checks, it was revealed that the property belongs to a lodge.

Head of the Poor Relief Department Neika Edram said that renting somewhere to house England, who has been a part of that corporation’s population and feeding programme for some time now, is among the options being explored.

“So, we are more looking at somewhere to rent for him in that community. So, the Poor Relief Department would have paid the rent,” stated Edram.

After the Observer West published England’s plight in January, charity organisation Food For the Poor was moved to explore the possibilities of assisting.

However, there was not much that the entity could do when they visited the area a few weeks ago.

As such, Food For the Poor was only able to provide care packages.

England had told the Observer West that he needs building materials — including nails, zinc and board — to repair the run-down structure in which he lives.

When asked why he is living in such a deplorable structure the casual labourer said, “The money that I earn is only hand to mouth.”

He noted that from time to time he would get what he calls “small jobs”.

To complicate matters, England occasionally has to be hospitalised because of an undisclosed ailment that results in swelling in parts of his body.

England had stated that in addition to his earnings from doing odd jobs, he receives assistance from the Poor Relief Department and residents within the community where he has been living for the past 30 years.