The number of people sleeping on the streets has increased enormously. We need more social housing, more mental health care and jobs that pay a real living wage to combat it.
Yes, it has become worse again. There was a lull for a few years, but there now seem to be a lot of street beggars and rough sleepers on the streets, especially close to the entrance to Charing Cross Tube, close to St Martin's Church.
Its getting worse. They aren't just drunks in soho... its people with jobs sleeping in cars and tents as rents are more than take home pay, debt, relationship break ups, evictions so many reasons. Can anyone blame them for ending up with...
Its getting worse. They aren't just drunks in soho... its people with jobs sleeping in cars and tents as rents are more than take home pay, debt, relationship break ups, evictions so many reasons. Can anyone blame them for ending up with dependancy issues when having to exist on the streets? Then there are the young people. Thank the gods for charitys like crisis and centrepoint etc. Rough sleepers are out in zone 4 where I live and they don't beg and are always gracious. In central touristy london its hard to know who is genuine and who is from a professional gang.
I totally agree with you, there are a few agressive drunks in Twickenham but they are well outnumbered by the gracious ones who for whatever reasons and I gave one earlier are homeless, there is only so much I can do and wish the council...
I totally agree with you, there are a few agressive drunks in Twickenham but they are well outnumbered by the gracious ones who for whatever reasons and I gave one earlier are homeless, there is only so much I can do and wish the council would actively respond and not leave it to over stretched charities.
You are right about central London although I had an amusing experience 3 weeks ago when I attended a Radio 4 show at the Beeb, when I left with my bag of Dad's Army purchases, then stopped to get some trainers and got another bag. Halfway down Oxford Street, hobbling on my stick and struggling with 2 bags (I can't stop laughing writing this), a very kind guy offered me a takeaway meal he had just bought and I realised I looked like some bagman trying to find somewhere to lay my head for the night. hehehe I still don't know if I was being insulted about my appearance or he was just being generous to someone he thought who needed help. Old age and disabled don't make me look at my best anytime, hehehe. It did round off my evening and I did decline the meal though as I had just eaten. I must have looked like a gibbering idiot as I walked to TCR station laughing all the way.
I don't believe there are many genuine homeless people. Most just choose this way of living or came from another country and didn't get everything they were promised.
A few do choose to sleep rough; the vast majority don't. Most people are also from the UK, mainly London. I volunteer on street outreach schemes and with a homelessness charity: the people we meet are definitely sleeping rough (we go out in...
A few do choose to sleep rough; the vast majority don't. Most people are also from the UK, mainly London. I volunteer on street outreach schemes and with a homelessness charity: the people we meet are definitely sleeping rough (we go out in the early hours), many have done so for years but still see finding permanent accommodation as their aim. Support for people who come from outside of the UK is limited: when looking for accommodation, rough sleepers need to demonstrate that they are from the local area, so for example even if you came from Southwark you would be unlikely to be eligible for help in Westminster; if you came from outside London or outside the UK, the chances of you being able to access council support are tiny.
The number of homeless people are on the increase mainly because of the shortage of social housing as private rental is so expensive and beyond the means of people who are on the street for whatever reason. Its frustrating that there are so...
The number of homeless people are on the increase mainly because of the shortage of social housing as private rental is so expensive and beyond the means of people who are on the street for whatever reason. Its frustrating that there are so many empty properties that could be used. There is a large office block on the North Circular road that has been empty for at least fifteen years why can't this be knocked down and flats built? You could get a lot of properties on that footprint and house a lot of people but it seems it better to leave it empty and let it get vandalised.
There should be some sort of process that if any properties( both residential and commercial) have been empty for a considerable amount of time then they local authority should have the power to compulsory purchase and convert it to social or affordable housing
The questions about begging were not open enough, when I gave some money to an homeless guy, it wasn't because he was begging, it was because I knew of his history, not related to my other post today. His wife divorced him, kept the house...
The questions about begging were not open enough, when I gave some money to an homeless guy, it wasn't because he was begging, it was because I knew of his history, not related to my other post today. His wife divorced him, kept the house and he was on the streets, he did his best to keep himself well presented, but at a cost to his poverty level benefit and I just happened to see him one night, got chatting and dropped into the conversation about eating that Sunday, he casually replied no so I gave him a £10 to get himself something, he wasn't one the the alcho's which wouldn't have got it, he was just a pleasant young man that through no fault of his own was deemed fit enough enough to look after himself, having just had his life totally wrecked with no support from anyone, but as a man he can get on with it, very sexist and unfair treatment, there but for the grace of god go I.
The situation is far more complex than ticking boxes and formulaic interviews with a supercilious interviewer, who becomes not just unsupportive but obstructive to helping them out of the mess they find themselves in.
I accept there is an hard core of alcholic, drug users, and old style tramps they cannot or do not want any help, so lets help the ones that do need it even if pride and personal dignity (I personally know a lot about that view) which stops them asking.
This is a very opportune survey, I discovered a few days ago that a friend of over 40 years was sleeping rough, well over pension age. I managed to make contact and they are now staying with me. I have tried an initial private meeting with...
This is a very opportune survey, I discovered a few days ago that a friend of over 40 years was sleeping rough, well over pension age. I managed to make contact and they are now staying with me. I have tried an initial private meeting with the local council, I will after all be discussing his personal data, but no I must attend an open session which as a disabled man is hard to do in the first place, but I did not know who to contact about someone that originally lived in the next constituency.
This needs to be delicately handled and I have not been impressed by RUT response. I cannot conduct it over my home phone, in front of my guest who has pride, the cause of their problems, local social services, who I might have contacted, hide behind locked doors and only speak via the phone, again not possible.
It hurts me to remain seated/standing for long periods, making the journey itself is painful. The ability to be able to actually see someone and discuss the matter, privately, is paramount and so far this council have been less than helpful, if this is the London wide attitude when it comes to helping anyone that has had a period of depression after loosing their partner and as a result of that their home then I dispair that we will ever help them. It needs a major sea change in the attitude of permanent managers and directors who have devised and implemented these contact arrangements, perhaps they should try being on the other side for a month and maybe they will change systems and proceedures to start treating people that really badly need help. To add to it I am probably jeopodising my own tenancy by have, a non paying, long term guest until such time as I can help him get back on his feet, I couldn't be callous a leave a 68 year old, wearing a terminator style harness while waiting for an hip operation appointment, how long?, to correct a prior bodged operation, on the streets. Every part of his previous council along with the NHS have just piled on the agony.
In my experience, rough sleeping is as bad now as it was in the latter Thatcher years. ASBOs seem to have gone the way of the dodo. Yes, I agree that a lot of rough sleepers. are dealing with mental health issues, but there are also a lot...
In my experience, rough sleeping is as bad now as it was in the latter Thatcher years. ASBOs seem to have gone the way of the dodo. Yes, I agree that a lot of rough sleepers. are dealing with mental health issues, but there are also a lot of drug (including alcohol) user issues creating rough sleeping. The fact is that multiple governments have refused to re-examine some of the main causes of rough sleeping, such as a more reasonable and sympathetic approach to drug users; treatment rather than punishment; and more, much much more social housing.
Rough Sleeping in London on the whole is a mental health issue, and should be dealt with primarily by those charities and others who have direct understanding of these complexities.
I suspect it's getting worse. The gentrification of London via things like off-plan sales amounts to social cleansing. Some who are pressured to move away will return to the places they know & end up homeless in the places they know...
I suspect it's getting worse. The gentrification of London via things like off-plan sales amounts to social cleansing. Some who are pressured to move away will return to the places they know & end up homeless in the places they know. Homelessness can kill.
There seems to be a big increase in the number of people sleeping rough. Cannot some of the many unoccupied houses in London be used to provide temporary accomodation and hostels.
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Log into your accountnatasha langridge
Community Member 6 years agoThe number of people sleeping on the streets has increased enormously. We need more social housing, more mental health care and jobs that pay a real living wage to combat it.
brendak142
Community Member 6 years agoYes, it has become worse again. There was a lull for a few years, but there now seem to be a lot of street beggars and rough sleepers on the streets, especially close to the entrance to Charing Cross Tube, close to St Martin's Church.
Miffy
Community Member 6 years agoIts getting worse. They aren't just drunks in soho... its people with jobs sleeping in cars and tents as rents are more than take home pay, debt, relationship break ups, evictions so many reasons. Can anyone blame them for ending up with...
Show full commentIts getting worse. They aren't just drunks in soho... its people with jobs sleeping in cars and tents as rents are more than take home pay, debt, relationship break ups, evictions so many reasons. Can anyone blame them for ending up with dependancy issues when having to exist on the streets? Then there are the young people. Thank the gods for charitys like crisis and centrepoint etc. Rough sleepers are out in zone 4 where I live and they don't beg and are always gracious. In central touristy london its hard to know who is genuine and who is from a professional gang.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoI totally agree with you, there are a few agressive drunks in Twickenham but they are well outnumbered by the gracious ones who for whatever reasons and I gave one earlier are homeless, there is only so much I can do and wish the council...
Show full commentI totally agree with you, there are a few agressive drunks in Twickenham but they are well outnumbered by the gracious ones who for whatever reasons and I gave one earlier are homeless, there is only so much I can do and wish the council would actively respond and not leave it to over stretched charities.
Show less of commentYou are right about central London although I had an amusing experience 3 weeks ago when I attended a Radio 4 show at the Beeb, when I left with my bag of Dad's Army purchases, then stopped to get some trainers and got another bag. Halfway down Oxford Street, hobbling on my stick and struggling with 2 bags (I can't stop laughing writing this), a very kind guy offered me a takeaway meal he had just bought and I realised I looked like some bagman trying to find somewhere to lay my head for the night. hehehe I still don't know if I was being insulted about my appearance or he was just being generous to someone he thought who needed help. Old age and disabled don't make me look at my best anytime, hehehe. It did round off my evening and I did decline the meal though as I had just eaten. I must have looked like a gibbering idiot as I walked to TCR station laughing all the way.
pukpuk
Community Member 6 years agoI don't believe there are many genuine homeless people. Most just choose this way of living or came from another country and didn't get everything they were promised.
HeidiR17
Community Member 6 years agoA few do choose to sleep rough; the vast majority don't. Most people are also from the UK, mainly London. I volunteer on street outreach schemes and with a homelessness charity: the people we meet are definitely sleeping rough (we go out in...
Show full commentA few do choose to sleep rough; the vast majority don't. Most people are also from the UK, mainly London. I volunteer on street outreach schemes and with a homelessness charity: the people we meet are definitely sleeping rough (we go out in the early hours), many have done so for years but still see finding permanent accommodation as their aim. Support for people who come from outside of the UK is limited: when looking for accommodation, rough sleepers need to demonstrate that they are from the local area, so for example even if you came from Southwark you would be unlikely to be eligible for help in Westminster; if you came from outside London or outside the UK, the chances of you being able to access council support are tiny.
Show less of commentbumphere
Community Member 6 years agoWhy not spend this Christmas volunteering at a shelter and see if that changes your perceptions?
JAXM
Community Member 6 years agoThe number of homeless people are on the increase mainly because of the shortage of social housing as private rental is so expensive and beyond the means of people who are on the street for whatever reason. Its frustrating that there are so...
Show full commentThe number of homeless people are on the increase mainly because of the shortage of social housing as private rental is so expensive and beyond the means of people who are on the street for whatever reason. Its frustrating that there are so many empty properties that could be used. There is a large office block on the North Circular road that has been empty for at least fifteen years why can't this be knocked down and flats built? You could get a lot of properties on that footprint and house a lot of people but it seems it better to leave it empty and let it get vandalised.
Show less of commentThere should be some sort of process that if any properties( both residential and commercial) have been empty for a considerable amount of time then they local authority should have the power to compulsory purchase and convert it to social or affordable housing
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoThe questions about begging were not open enough, when I gave some money to an homeless guy, it wasn't because he was begging, it was because I knew of his history, not related to my other post today. His wife divorced him, kept the house...
Show full commentThe questions about begging were not open enough, when I gave some money to an homeless guy, it wasn't because he was begging, it was because I knew of his history, not related to my other post today. His wife divorced him, kept the house and he was on the streets, he did his best to keep himself well presented, but at a cost to his poverty level benefit and I just happened to see him one night, got chatting and dropped into the conversation about eating that Sunday, he casually replied no so I gave him a £10 to get himself something, he wasn't one the the alcho's which wouldn't have got it, he was just a pleasant young man that through no fault of his own was deemed fit enough enough to look after himself, having just had his life totally wrecked with no support from anyone, but as a man he can get on with it, very sexist and unfair treatment, there but for the grace of god go I.
Show less of commentThe situation is far more complex than ticking boxes and formulaic interviews with a supercilious interviewer, who becomes not just unsupportive but obstructive to helping them out of the mess they find themselves in.
I accept there is an hard core of alcholic, drug users, and old style tramps they cannot or do not want any help, so lets help the ones that do need it even if pride and personal dignity (I personally know a lot about that view) which stops them asking.
natasha langridge
Community Member 6 years agoI agree-the questions give no option to answer in own words.
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoThis is a very opportune survey, I discovered a few days ago that a friend of over 40 years was sleeping rough, well over pension age. I managed to make contact and they are now staying with me. I have tried an initial private meeting with...
Show full commentThis is a very opportune survey, I discovered a few days ago that a friend of over 40 years was sleeping rough, well over pension age. I managed to make contact and they are now staying with me. I have tried an initial private meeting with the local council, I will after all be discussing his personal data, but no I must attend an open session which as a disabled man is hard to do in the first place, but I did not know who to contact about someone that originally lived in the next constituency.
Show less of commentThis needs to be delicately handled and I have not been impressed by RUT response. I cannot conduct it over my home phone, in front of my guest who has pride, the cause of their problems, local social services, who I might have contacted, hide behind locked doors and only speak via the phone, again not possible.
It hurts me to remain seated/standing for long periods, making the journey itself is painful. The ability to be able to actually see someone and discuss the matter, privately, is paramount and so far this council have been less than helpful, if this is the London wide attitude when it comes to helping anyone that has had a period of depression after loosing their partner and as a result of that their home then I dispair that we will ever help them. It needs a major sea change in the attitude of permanent managers and directors who have devised and implemented these contact arrangements, perhaps they should try being on the other side for a month and maybe they will change systems and proceedures to start treating people that really badly need help. To add to it I am probably jeopodising my own tenancy by have, a non paying, long term guest until such time as I can help him get back on his feet, I couldn't be callous a leave a 68 year old, wearing a terminator style harness while waiting for an hip operation appointment, how long?, to correct a prior bodged operation, on the streets. Every part of his previous council along with the NHS have just piled on the agony.
petethepen
Community Member 6 years agoIn my experience, rough sleeping is as bad now as it was in the latter Thatcher years. ASBOs seem to have gone the way of the dodo. Yes, I agree that a lot of rough sleepers. are dealing with mental health issues, but there are also a lot...
Show full commentIn my experience, rough sleeping is as bad now as it was in the latter Thatcher years. ASBOs seem to have gone the way of the dodo. Yes, I agree that a lot of rough sleepers. are dealing with mental health issues, but there are also a lot of drug (including alcohol) user issues creating rough sleeping. The fact is that multiple governments have refused to re-examine some of the main causes of rough sleeping, such as a more reasonable and sympathetic approach to drug users; treatment rather than punishment; and more, much much more social housing.
Show less of commentTobeyTravels
Community Member 6 years agoIt's a lot worse. I recently counted 15 rough sleepers along the Strand and 5 in the area around Victoria Station on the same night.
guy_allott
Community Member 6 years agoRough Sleeping in London on the whole is a mental health issue, and should be dealt with primarily by those charities and others who have direct understanding of these complexities.
mulligan
Community Member 6 years agoI suspect it's getting worse. The gentrification of London via things like off-plan sales amounts to social cleansing. Some who are pressured to move away will return to the places they know & end up homeless in the places they know...
Show full commentI suspect it's getting worse. The gentrification of London via things like off-plan sales amounts to social cleansing. Some who are pressured to move away will return to the places they know & end up homeless in the places they know. Homelessness can kill.
Show less of commentRedveg993
Community Member 6 years agoThis is a good idea. The question, however, is, "is there the political will on the part of our rulers, local and national, to accomplish this"?
mark_dudley
Community Member 6 years agoThere seems to be a big increase in the number of people sleeping rough. Cannot some of the many unoccupied houses in London be used to provide temporary accomodation and hostels.
natasha langridge
Community Member 6 years agoThey should be.