Hostile Achitecture

[mushroom25]

a slope recently appeared over the steps of the bank of England building in Liverpool:-
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/anti-homeless-slope-installed-bank-12226422
just the latest example of "hostile architecture" to discourage rough sleepers - others include floor spikes, bench arm rest bars, etc.
"Acceptable", as described by building owners and certain city fathers? or "disgusting" as described by homeless charities and social media users? - do companies with large property portfolios have any duty or moral obligation to those who seek shelter in their doorways?

[ummmm]

Some businesses barely make a profit and you expect them to contribute to a homeless problem?

It's unrealistic and very unfair.

[Baldric]

When we lived near Dover I helped at a Hostel on outskirts of town, it would be full at dinner time but overnight a lot of the beds were unused as they preferred sleeping on a pile of cardboard in a nearby factory premises, they didn't like 'proper beds' it was their choice.

[ummmm]

Pasta...you are talking about handouts. Contributing is handing out.

[jackthehat]

Lots of glib answers and precious few practical solutions.
Something, somewhere needs restructuring to ensure that as few people as possible have to live and sleep on the streets.

[pastafreak]

Naomi...are you serious? Many have drug, alchohol,severe mental health issues. So no...I'd never expect anyone to offer a room in their home. That's just foolish.

[ummmm]

There was a well known tramp in my town. He was often taken in by he council and de-liced, cleaned up, shaved and given clean clothes....and he still chose to live on the streets.

If I remember correctly (Jackthehat will know) he died with lots of cash.

[pastafreak]

As I said earlier...many hostel are less safe than the streets. Unfortunate, but true.

[naomi24]

pastafreak, I know, but I also know that those problems don't apply to all. Yes, I am serious.

[jackthehat]

That's true, ummmm, he did.

His name was David and he went 'peculiar' after the death of his wife and took to the streets. Mental Health Services could possibly have made a positive impact in his life but again, a lack of them made an already knotty problem worse.

[pastafreak]

Ummmm...regarding your comment @ 13.30....the OP was speaking about larger companies that are in profit.

[ummmm]

I still don't see why businesses should feel obliged to contribute.

[cassa333]

Why is it so often forgotten that businesses actually (in most cases) pay their way, with local business rates at least?

Why, just because they are a business, should they contribute to anything extra let alone shelter?

I am not unsympathetic to the plight of homeless people but to make businesses pay over and above the accepted rate and make their premises available for rough sleepers is unfare.

Perhaps the general public should all give £ to a homeless charity every time they see a homeless person.

[pastafreak]

I don't think anyone is asking businesses to make their premises available to the homeless. And it's great if the " general public " can donate. But where does the £££ for salaries, maintenance of shelters, specialist services come from? Not many individuals can make donations that will make a difference...sorry. Don't get me wrong...it is all appreciated and gratefully accepted. But like anything else, sizable sums are needed to help even small charities to continue. And quite often, it's the small ones that do the most good in the local community.

[cassa333]

Their business premises are also their doorways and awnings and such like. Who has to pay to clean them up? The business.

The £ for saleries for the £120,000 CEO down to the minimum wage helper come from people who donate £. It is not the job of business to subsidise charity regardless of what that charity is. And cirtainly not for someone earning more than they might make in five years. Charity is an option. If it was anything else it would be a tax.

If it is a moral obligation on society then everyone should contribute not just businesses.