The homeless - a sudden increase?
Discussion
Over the last year or so, I've been back and forth to Birmingham on the train, and have noticed a sudden increase of people sleeping rough in shop doorways near New Street station. It's also happening in my home town too, where there wasn't really a (visible) problem with this at all before.
One of the people who until recently used to lie in an underpass near my local town centre is known to be a fake. Apparently he has a flat in the town but makes out he's homeless to get money for alcohol (yes, I know).
My problem is, I don't mind giving someone a bit of cash if they are genuine, but sometimes it's very hard to tell, and some of the fakes do make a lot of money out of it.
Does anyone else feel guilty in case they maybe got it wrong with some of them?
One of the people who until recently used to lie in an underpass near my local town centre is known to be a fake. Apparently he has a flat in the town but makes out he's homeless to get money for alcohol (yes, I know).
My problem is, I don't mind giving someone a bit of cash if they are genuine, but sometimes it's very hard to tell, and some of the fakes do make a lot of money out of it.
Does anyone else feel guilty in case they maybe got it wrong with some of them?
si_xsi said:
I manage commercial property for a living and we have noticed an increase too, as you say in shop fronts , underground car parks etc. In Oxford this is partly due to several hostels closing because of government funding cuts.
I saw something on the news recently on this subject, and one bloke in a shop doorway said that he chose it because of the cctv for his own protection. The more public, the better the cctv I suppose. But then there is the footfall, which makes me a bit suspicious of some of them, rightly or wrongly.I worked in social housing for 8 years or so, and some of the other housing officers I worked with (usually the ladies) would not hesitate to stop and try to 'help' someone begging for change or rough sleeping.
By help, I mean start asking them which hostels they have contacted for a room, before proceeding to offer to phone a few places to get them a bed for the night.
The usual response from them was 'f
k off and leave me alone', which the housing officer knew would be the likely outcome.
Generally, a lot of the rough sleepers refuse to go in hostels or other homeless accommodation because they won't allow drink, drugs or unruly behaviour.
By help, I mean start asking them which hostels they have contacted for a room, before proceeding to offer to phone a few places to get them a bed for the night.
The usual response from them was 'f
k off and leave me alone', which the housing officer knew would be the likely outcome.Generally, a lot of the rough sleepers refuse to go in hostels or other homeless accommodation because they won't allow drink, drugs or unruly behaviour.
Hostels closing, emergency support has been cut, wider cuts to services for mental health, substance misuse, abuse etc.
Also, rentals more expensive, more adults living at home and then falling out with family, lots leaving the forces (a high number of homeless are ex forces).
Homelessness has always been there, its just well hidden, now the hiding places are being shut theyre are becoming mroe obvious!
Also, rentals more expensive, more adults living at home and then falling out with family, lots leaving the forces (a high number of homeless are ex forces).
Homelessness has always been there, its just well hidden, now the hiding places are being shut theyre are becoming mroe obvious!
meehaja said:
Hostels closing, emergency support has been cut, wider cuts to services for mental health, substance misuse, abuse etc.
Also, rentals more expensive, more adults living at home and then falling out with family, lots leaving the forces (a high number of homeless are ex forces).
Homelessness has always been there, its just well hidden, now the hiding places are being shut theyre are becoming mroe obvious!
Interesting post, and the cuts were mentioned by a previous poster. Also, rentals more expensive, more adults living at home and then falling out with family, lots leaving the forces (a high number of homeless are ex forces).
Homelessness has always been there, its just well hidden, now the hiding places are being shut theyre are becoming mroe obvious!
I think it's easy pickings for the frauds though, which is a real shame for those genuinely in trouble. Who knows what they have been through?!
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