Homelessness In Britain

[paddyk]

Have just watched a documentary about the increase in the number of people sleeping rough in our towns and cities. I think this is an absolute disgrace. In an affluent nation like the UK this should not happen. There is no excuse for it. Sure - there is a small minority for whom this is a lifestyle choice but for the vast majority it is not. I feel so sorry for these people. Surely much more can be done about it. Now for the bit that gets censored- I know a chap who works for a "government organisation" who liase with local councils to ensure that migrants from Syria etc are housed immediately they enter this country and sorted out with all benefits etc . Trust me - I am not making this up. Why are we doing this when we cannot even look after our own people ? And before the left wing liberal do-gooders jump all over me, I come from a Socialist Working Class background so please don't tell me I don't understand. If I could find a way to put this in the media, I would - but the authorities would no doubt find a way to deny it. What upsets me the most out of all this, is that the homeless just don't count, hardly anyone cares, and there is not the political will to tackle the issue. Please think about this as you retire to your warm bed this evening with the central heating on and an almost minimal chance of any harm coming to you as you sleep

[pixie374]

I agree completely- I can't think of anything worse than being properly homeless. Once people are out of the "system" they aren't anyone's responsibility.

[david small]

What would you suggest we do?

[pixie374]

Prioritise.

[mikey4444]

Paddy...I agree. Its ruddy appalling that people should be living on our streets.

I worked up in Town during the late 1980's and there wasn't a shop doorway that didn't have a huddle of cardboard and a human being in it.

It seems that we judge ourselves as a nation, by the way that we treat our disadvantaged.

A link to that documentary would be handy !

[OldBather]

I think it is a national shame that it still goes on.
When I was 20 (1967) the flatshare that I was in collapsed (the other tenants left)and I was left on the street,and was so for nearly a year.I don't really want to look back there,it makes me feel queasy and shiver.I am disgusted that this is still allowed to go on.It should be a right for a person that they have a roof( of whatever kind) over their heads,and not be afraid for themselves living on the streets.
Being homeless and sleeping rough DOES alter people's attitudes to you,I was treated worse than pigs or cattle.How we can change it I don't know,but I am sure that there ARE ways.

[pastafreak]

I'd like a link also.
I work 3-4 days a week for a local charity that helps homeless, rough sleepers and those who are vulnerable. I'd say we are seeing far more young people pass through our doors. They are there due to family breakdown, lifestyle choices,mental health issues...you name it. The older guys are more likely to be long term homeless...for them it is a "choice".
It is a constant scramble to get funding...there is less of it,and what there is is being divided up between more and more organisations. Unfortunately, looking after the vulnerable is not a priority in today's society.

[paddyk]

Fender - what I have said is absolutely true - I am not making it up - they employ professionals to ensure that political migrants are given preferential treatment with regard to housing, benefits, job seeking, education etc, (forgot to mention before - these properties are "fully furnished" for the migrant families" . The most worrying trend is that they are now housing the migrants in ther North of England in the more "deprived" areas rather than London etc. Government actively employ people to ensure this process goes smoothly and without any hitches

[whiskeryron]

Here's an idea. Let parliament pass a law that makes it illegal to sleep rough. The police would have powers to arrest anyone found contravening this law & would take ''offenders'' to a place of safety supplied by local or government authority.

[pixie374]

Isn't vagrancy already illegal?

[Togo]

Our local authorities have to by law, EU law, provide accommodation for homeless immigrants. Over and above providing the same facilities for our own unfortunates. There are off course "jobs" and careers in this endeavour for the unemployable.

[pastafreak]

Why should it be illegal to sleep rough? You're then criminalising what for some is a lifestyle choice...Fines? How do they pay? Oh yes...jail.
And the places of safety...where? " Not in my backyard..."
As it is, it's a struggle to find shelter for so many. And what shelters there are,are seen as dangerous places. The vulnerable person is just as likely to be robbed in the Sally,as on the street.

[Hopkirk]

As we are looking at statistics, I would like to know if these rough sleepers are mostly indigenous, or recent arrivals.

[pastafreak]

The question of immigrants is a separate issue, and detracts from the discussion of what to do about HOMELESSNESS.

[Hopkirk]

Not if a lot of the homeless are immigrants. I don't know if they are.

[tamborine]

Some homeless prefer to be within access of booze & drugs than sleep in safety. Our vge hall & church takes them in but very few arrive.

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/18-december/news/uk/homeless-find-shelter-in-churches-and-mosques

[Baldric]

A good few years ago I worked with a company on the outskirts of Dover. There was a Homeless Shelter across the road which was full at mealtimes but almost empty overnight as they all slept rough on the Trading Estate opposite, preferring that to a proper bed even in bad weather. We used to leave lots of packaging out for them and a couple of garage type buildings open if not needed for storage overnight.

[paddyk]

Togo. That's very interesting - I wasn't aware of that. Isn't that another very good reason for getting out of the EU as soon as we can. If what you say is true (which I don't doubt for a minute), what about the rights of our own citizens who can trace their ancestry back for hundreds of years. Oops - am I allowed to say that - too late I've already said it. Lets hope to god we get out of the EU and they don't block the will of the people. If they do - what would be the point of ever voting again, Remember how people suffered and even died to the vote for everyone

[Cloverjo]

Paddyk, I can't see how the problem of homelessness is going to be eased by leaving the EU.

I'm surprised that overnight shelter is rejected by many homeless people. I know sleeping in a church hall doesn't compare to having your own home or even a room, but it must be preferable to sleeping outside. Perhaps they enjoy each other's company. I don't know.

Homelessness is my biggest fear.