Rough sleeping UK “R us”
Discussion
I’m fortunate enough to live in a fairly well to do residential area on the south coast, but I’m noticing a rather alarming rise in people living rough recently, we have lots of caravans (not the usual type) appearing on industrial estates, camper vans “en masse” on certain streets in various more upmarket areas obviously trying to avoid trouble, and the latest two I’ve spotted while out for my cycle rides is an encampment just off a main road next to a drainage outlet and someone living in their car in an local Asda car park.
Is this going on everywhere?
Is this going on everywhere?
This has been on the rise for a while with rents being unaffordable for some and a lack of rental properties.
It’s not just the south coast but a national issue.
There was a lady near to my workplace that lived in their car parked up in a lay-by about five years, they seem to have recently upgraded a van.
Then another more secluded parking spot used by dog walkers and ramblers that now has three vans parked up every night. The car park isn’t fenced or gated and is not directly visible from a main road hence the reason it’s probably been selected.
It’s not just the south coast but a national issue.
There was a lady near to my workplace that lived in their car parked up in a lay-by about five years, they seem to have recently upgraded a van.
Then another more secluded parking spot used by dog walkers and ramblers that now has three vans parked up every night. The car park isn’t fenced or gated and is not directly visible from a main road hence the reason it’s probably been selected.
gazza285 said:
Airbnb has a lot to answer for.
We have not been building enough new homes for decades. The last time we were anywhere above the currently desired 300k a year was in 1970’s. The last time private and public (council, as was) builds were equal was in 1978, at 175k apiece.You restrict supply of anything and prices rise. Just look at used car, van and even bicycle prices over the pandemic.
Digga said:
gazza285 said:
Airbnb has a lot to answer for.
We have not been building enough new homes for decades. The last time we were anywhere above the currently desired 300k a year was in 1970’s. The last time private and public (council, as was) builds were equal was in 1978, at 175k apiece.You restrict supply of anything and prices rise. Just look at used car, van and even bicycle prices over the pandemic.
It's not just about 'affordable housing'.
Living in a van, you pay no council tax.
Few other bills.
You can choose where you live.
You have no ongoing commitment.
You're free to move to the other end of the country next week.
It isn't just people who could not afford to rent,
There's always been a few people choosing to live on boats, now many waterways are rammed.
A mate of mine used to do this, he was an IT bod and owned more than one house at the time.
Working on short term projects there were quite a few people who owned vans and would sleep in them, not just to save the cost of B&B during the week, but also to save the hassle of finding it. It can also be cheaper than commuting.
Living in a van, you pay no council tax.
Few other bills.
You can choose where you live.
You have no ongoing commitment.
You're free to move to the other end of the country next week.
It isn't just people who could not afford to rent,
There's always been a few people choosing to live on boats, now many waterways are rammed.
A mate of mine used to do this, he was an IT bod and owned more than one house at the time.
Working on short term projects there were quite a few people who owned vans and would sleep in them, not just to save the cost of B&B during the week, but also to save the hassle of finding it. It can also be cheaper than commuting.
There's a growing desire/prevalence of the 'van life' thing, for various reasons.
Yep, house/rent prices are a big one, but also the rise in remote working enabling people to indulge their wanderlust.
Drive down past Arundel lake, and you'll see them parked up - and it's a wide range of people types. From crusty old hippies through to young professionals.
My cousin is in the theatre and is often touring between stints on cruise ships. He's seriously considering it even though he can afford deposit/etc. on a house - as he's just not fussed about the 'investment' side of house buying and just wants something that works for him.
Yep, house/rent prices are a big one, but also the rise in remote working enabling people to indulge their wanderlust.
Drive down past Arundel lake, and you'll see them parked up - and it's a wide range of people types. From crusty old hippies through to young professionals.
My cousin is in the theatre and is often touring between stints on cruise ships. He's seriously considering it even though he can afford deposit/etc. on a house - as he's just not fussed about the 'investment' side of house buying and just wants something that works for him.
nuyorican said:
Pretty much.
No affordable housing. People have to go somewhere.
I’ve noticed a few vans parked up in my area that people are obviously living in.
I have a professional job in television and prior to finally getting a little cash after selling the ex marital home, I was struggling to cover my rent, as are most of the other younger people at work.No affordable housing. People have to go somewhere.
I’ve noticed a few vans parked up in my area that people are obviously living in.
I had been looking at buying a campervan as an affordable way to take me through retirement in 5 years.
There's been a lot on the news lately about working Spaniards living in tents/camper vans because rents are sky high due to tourism.
Pretty bad that you work 40 hours a week yet keeping a roof over your head is a struggle.
It's a perfect storm-
- Right to buy removing housing stock for rent
- Airbnb. In one area that I'm interested in buying in there are currently almost 600 airbnbs to listed to let within 1/4mile of a population of 4,500.
- if you are a childless couple or a single male you aren't looking like you'll be getting social housing. So in my area alone there's a bogstandard 2 bed flat for 1,600 a month currently (Gtr Manchester).
You can blame whoever you want but if you were newly divorced you'll no doubt be paying close to 500 a month for a HMO room. Imagine being on min wage, no wonder people are living in vans/caravans.
- Right to buy removing housing stock for rent
- Airbnb. In one area that I'm interested in buying in there are currently almost 600 airbnbs to listed to let within 1/4mile of a population of 4,500.
- if you are a childless couple or a single male you aren't looking like you'll be getting social housing. So in my area alone there's a bogstandard 2 bed flat for 1,600 a month currently (Gtr Manchester).
You can blame whoever you want but if you were newly divorced you'll no doubt be paying close to 500 a month for a HMO room. Imagine being on min wage, no wonder people are living in vans/caravans.
nuyorican said:
One thing I always wonder is where do these people register their vehicles? And post etc. I mean, where would potential speeding tickets go to?
I know the obvious answer is: a friend or family. But I would hate to ask someone to do this for me.
I think the answer may be a bit less legal than you might expect. I know the obvious answer is: a friend or family. But I would hate to ask someone to do this for me.
Not sure most would have a problem asking to register a vehicle at their parents house if needed.
OutInTheShed said:
Jasandjules said:
Given how expensive everything is these days it is little wonder that people are doing whatever they have to.
Or whatever they can get away with?OutInTheShed said:
It's not just about 'affordable housing'.
Living in a van, you pay no council tax.
Few other bills.
You can choose where you live.
You have no ongoing commitment.
You're free to move to the other end of the country next week.
It isn't just people who could not afford to rent,
There's always been a few people choosing to live on boats, now many waterways are rammed.
A mate of mine used to do this, he was an IT bod and owned more than one house at the time.
Working on short term projects there were quite a few people who owned vans and would sleep in them, not just to save the cost of B&B during the week, but also to save the hassle of finding it. It can also be cheaper than commuting.
The middle class "van life" is very different to the reality of many.Living in a van, you pay no council tax.
Few other bills.
You can choose where you live.
You have no ongoing commitment.
You're free to move to the other end of the country next week.
It isn't just people who could not afford to rent,
There's always been a few people choosing to live on boats, now many waterways are rammed.
A mate of mine used to do this, he was an IT bod and owned more than one house at the time.
Working on short term projects there were quite a few people who owned vans and would sleep in them, not just to save the cost of B&B during the week, but also to save the hassle of finding it. It can also be cheaper than commuting.
sutoka said:
Nobody mentioned the elephant in the room yet?
No affordable housing stock to rent but a village in Wales gets £20m modern accommodation built which the local population aren't entitled to rent.
They're shipping containers for Ukrainian refugees in Llantwit Major. But okay...No affordable housing stock to rent but a village in Wales gets £20m modern accommodation built which the local population aren't entitled to rent.
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