A HOMELESS man has a proper roof over his head after more than two years of living in an alleyway.

Oxford City Council has persuaded Ferrol Steele to take up accommodation in Sandy Lane, Blackbird Leys.

He had been sleeping rough nearby for several years — most recently on top of mattresses in an overgrown alleyway at the back of homes in the road.

His plight was first highlighted by the Oxford Mail in 2007, when local people dubbed him “the Bushman of Blackbird Leys”.

The city council has continually tried to help the 49-year-old, but said it could not force him to take up offers of help.

Some families had complained about his late-night singing keeping them awake, while others had caught him rummaging through their bins.

Last night, residents welcomed the news he had been given a proper home, although some people doubted whether he would stay put for long.

A father-of-two, who has lived in Sandy Lane for 13 months, said he had been continually disturbed by Mr Steele’s singing.

The 29-year-old, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s good news for everyone, we’ve been waiting for something to happen. It will save his life in this weather.

“I’m not sure he will stay there in the summer though. I don’t want him back behind my house because it will start all over again.

“It has been horrible and disgusting. He needs someone to keep an eye on him 24-7.”

Mike Prior, 42, of Sandy Lane, added: “He definitely needed a new home.

“I think the people further down the road are more bothered by him.”

Two years ago, Mr Steele’s sister Sedrene Steele told the Oxford Mail her brother had been evicted from a flat after squatters burned it down. He had been homeless since the end of 2005, after spending time in hospital.

She also said the family had tried to provide accommodation for him, but it proved unworkable.

City councillor Val Smith said Mr Steele had been rehomed in a flat in Sandy Lane close to his relatives.

She said: “He is still in the area and hopefully it will have resolved the situation. We are all thankful that he is safe.

“We just hope he will stay where he is and have a much better quality of life.

“I’m sure he will still be wandering about singing during the day, but he has somewhere safe to go at night. He will always come back to Sandy Lane because that’s where his mum used to live.”

City council spokesman Louisa Dean added: “We are delighted that the individual concerned has decided to engage with the services that were available to him.

“Officers worked ext- remely hard to ensure that the appropriate accommodation and benefits were in place so that the individual could move into their property before Christmas.”

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk