No home, but he turned up neatly dressed for job

The New Hope Community Services runs a transitional shelter for the homeless at its Jalan Kukoh premises. It offers them a longer-term stay of up to six months, while its social workers help to find them a job and long-term housing options. ST PHOTOS
The New Hope Community Services runs a transitional shelter for the homeless at its Jalan Kukoh premises. It offers them a longer-term stay of up to six months, while its social workers help to find them a job and long-term housing options. ST PHOTOS: WANG HUI FEN
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Despite being homeless for a decade, none of his colleagues had any clue he had been sleeping rough at void decks, in parks and even in carparks.

Mr Lee, a 61-year-old who declined to give his full name, would show up at his dish-washing job at a restaurant neatly dressed, revealing nothing of his personal life. His mailing address was his sister's home.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 10, 2019, with the headline No home, but he turned up neatly dressed for job. Subscribe