A GRANDATHER who lived rough on the streets for years has said the city’s homeless shelter – which is shutting down – helped save his life.

Brian Farmer, who lived in Lucy Faithfull House in Speedwell Street for two years, has said he’s worried about the effect its closure tomorrow will have on those who need help.

After 30 years the shelter is shutting tomorrow as part of reforms by Oxfordshire County Council to its homeless pathways services.

It means the 61 beds at the homeless accommodation will be scrapped and spread out across different areas in the county.

Farmer, 62, said staff at the shelter “save his life” by helping him deal with his alcohol addiction – which saw him drink up to two bottles of vodka a day.

He added: “I wake up everyday and it’s a joy to be alive. I love where I am now and it’s all because of them.

“If it wasn’t for the people at Lucy Faithfull House I would not be here.”

Mr Farmer, who now rents a flat in Oxford and volunteers to help people with mental health issues, became homeless about eight years ago after living rough around Grandpont and Rose Hill.

Residents have been handed a letter stating they will be given a one-time only offer of a new place to live, and it is understood many have no idea where they will end up.

This week the council rubber-stamped plans to cut its housing support by 65 per cent – about £1.5m – as one of 95 options designed to make savings of £70m by 2020.

Resident of the shelter for six years Evelyn Webb, who was moved to Simon House on Wednesday, said many people had not been told where they would end up.

The 29-year-old added: “I have mixed emotions, for me I feel I’m in a better place than some people who will be going into new accommodation.”

Pete Bonney and his wife Carol donated sleeping bags and coats to the shelter for 10 years.

The 76-year-old said: “It’s a sad day.”

The council said Riverside, the landlord of Lucy Faithfull House stated they were not in a position to commit to a longer term use of the properties by a third party.

Therefore other providers were awarded contracts for the new services.

Chief executive of Oxford Homeless Pathways Lesley Dewhurst said she would miss having the daily contact with the people there.

She added: “Lucy Faithfull House has been part of the services for many years and we have had a great working relationship with them.”