Is It A Crime To Be Homeless Now

[nailit]

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/revealed-council-plan-fine-rough-787527
Link from my local paper.
The council are now going to fine homeless people who try to keep warm in a tent this winter. Fining homeless people up to £1000 is not only unworkable (where would they send the fine to?) its despicable.

[-Talbot-]

No, it isn't.

[andy-hughes]

I would imagine that people living in a tent don't actually have a spare grand to pay a fine with - if they did, they'd be renting a roof over their head with it!

It appears our city prefers to regard homeless people as a nuisance, rather than a humanitarian problem to be addressed.

Half the Smithfield is empty, why don't they pop them in there for the winter?

[nailit]

It was rhetorical Talbot.

[andy-hughes]

Talbot - // No, it isn't. //

Why isn't it?

[nailit]

Half of Hanley is empty andy :-(

[Mamyalynne]

PSPOs have been around a while now and are about broader issues than targeting homeless people.

Obviously they will fall foul of the Orders in certain areas.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/12/part/4/chapter/2/crossheading/public-spaces-protection-orders/enacted

[Barmaid]

I cba to look it up but has the Vagrancy Act been repealed now? It used to be illegal to sleep rough.

[-Talbot-]

When was the last time the vagrancy act was used?

[andy-hughes]

nailit - // Half of Hanley is empty andy :-( //

Indeed it is - I zeroed in on the Smithfield (for non-residents, it's a massive brand new office complex that is standing empty) because it is the council's flagship 'attraction' for businesses, which has singularly failed to 'attract' anything except a massive maintenance budget and zero revenue.

[Mamyalynne]

Certain sections remain on the books BM, but has largely 'withered' away [quote].

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagrancy_Act_1824#Current_status

[-Talbot-]

andy-hughes
Talbot - // No, it isn't. //

Why isn't it?


Because it isn't

[Jackdaw33]

What is the point of even attempting to fine people who are sleeping rough? Where will they get the money to pay the fines? I agree the problem needs to be tackled but this is not the answer.

[Barmaid]

Thanks Mamy. Seems that bit is still in force, just rarely used.

[Mamyalynne]

The fines will most likely go to those breaching other parts of the order (drinking,urinating etc) even those issuing fines would know someone homeless has no ID/address or means to pay.

[mikey4444]

Jack has it right at 17:56.

[nailit]

Mamy, the fines are going to those sleeping in a tent as well.

[Mamyalynne]

Well, they are wasting resources there then.

[andy-hughes]

Talbot - // andy-hughes
Talbot - // No, it isn't. //

Why isn't it?


Because it isn't //

Succinctly argued to your usual high standard of debate - can't think why I didn't see your point the first time.

[-Talbot-]

What more do you want me to say?

[Baldric]

At our last house we had a downstairs room, (no access to the rest of the house) that had a bed, walk in shower, loo and kitchenette that was available to homeless Ex-Service people sent by the Local Authority at no charge.
We are going to convert the garage where we are now to offer the same, probably early 2018.