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Original poster

WWYD? Homeless outside house (diagram)

37 replies

NotUnusual · 04/10/2024 21:27

Hi, (apologies for crap diagram)

NC for this. The past couple of days I've noticed a homeless couple who are clearly addicts sleeping in the communal street bin corner directly opposite my house. They are cuddled up between 2 bins day and night, surrounded by drug paraphernalia. I got such a fright the first noticed, when I put the bin out yesterday and saw a pair of legs between the 2 black bins. This was at 12pm and they were still there at 4pm when I went to do the school run. Today they are still there.

I'm really concerned and dont know what to do. I'm selfishly more worried for me and DC than them as they are surrounded by needles and stuff. I'm trying to avoid putting any rubbish out, am triple checking doors are locked and banning DC from playing outside. I know it's wrong and it's obviously the state of the world at the moment for the homeless but I naively assumed they took refuge in the woods or shop doorways etc but to be lying between bins in Broad day light where kids live and play I just feel so anxious. Please don't pile on me, I know my thinking is wrong and self-centered

HELP!!

WWYD? Homeless outside house (diagram)
OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 04/10/2024 21:53

They are probably just there because it's presumably safer for themselves than on a high street or rough estate? So try and take a bit of comfort in that at least but you aren't a horrible person for being concerned at all.
I'd see if your local church has any teams that could help them.

OhDearMuriel · 04/10/2024 21:51

Comedycook · 04/10/2024 21:44

I'd be really worried about them, trying to get some help for them, and possibly having a chat with them to find out what they need

Please don't do this op. It's not your problem

Totally agree with @Comedycook

Do not approach them as there are so many potential scenarios that could end up very badly for you.

Contact the relevant authorities.

Wimberry · 04/10/2024 21:49

Second the recommendation for streetlink. You can also check your local council website, they may have local services specific to your area where you can report that you are worried about someone sleeping rough.

They are people, and deserve support - but that needs to come from specialist services, not you. Being addicts does not mean they're bad people, but addiction can cause people to do bad things, ifyswim. It isn't something you should try and deal with yourself.

Orangeoranges42 · 04/10/2024 21:48

Contact your local council they’ll have a Homelessness/ Housing solutions team.

Theyll be a circle of people aware of homes sleds people generally including social services, housing team, police etc

Original poster
NotUnusual · 04/10/2024 21:47

I really don't want to approach them at all, I'm a lone parent with small children, one being only 6 weeks old. They are literally a stone throw from my home, directly opposite my house (approx 20 to 30 steps). Im literally stressing if its safe to go run a bin bag out, never mind purposely going out to speak to them. If they were to become aggressive or anything there would literally be nothing I could do to protect myself or my home, given they would obviously know which house I came out of. I'm also worrying about going out and leaving my home unattended.

I feel really horrible because their situation isn't great and I really shouldn't be judging at all and thinking they may be aggressive druggies or attempt to burgle me or something but I've had family members who have been addicts and on the streets so I know how very unpredictable they can be.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 04/10/2024 21:44

I'd be really worried about them, trying to get some help for them, and possibly having a chat with them to find out what they need

Please don't do this op. It's not your problem

Comedycook · 04/10/2024 21:42

Yanbu. No one, absolutely no one, wants to come out of their home with their children to see two drug addicts and their paraphernalia lying around.

ThatOpenSwan · 04/10/2024 21:40

I'd be really worried about them, trying to get some help for them, and possibly having a chat with them to find out what they need. They're people, OP - they might be scary and aggressive and awful people but they are quite likely not to be (based on all my anecdata of having conversations with homeless people) and you won't know until you've talked to them. (I fully admit that they're very likely to be a bit mad but that's different and no barrier to a pleasant and sometimes entertaining chat.) They're in an awful situation, and most of us in the UK are a lot closer to homelessness than we'd like to imagine.

If that's too much or if the vibes are truly really threatening rather than just unexpectedly alarming, Streetlink are a good shout as above.

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 04/10/2024 21:38

It seems to be becoming "normal" unfortunately. I know in Glasgow junkies getting into people's closes to shoot up is common and the police do nothing.

Unescorted · 04/10/2024 21:36

You are not being a horrible person and your concerns are valid.

https://homeless.org.uk/homeless-england/ has good advice.

Speak to your local homelessness/ housing office. They will have details of what services are available in your area to help them.

Homeless England

Homeless England is the most comprehensive database of Homelessness services. You can search by location or type of service to find services in your area.

https://homeless.org.uk/homeless-england

MidnightPatrol · 04/10/2024 21:30

Had a similar problem recently OP.

Police don’t care, you can log it but they don’t seem arsed. Last time I pointed a homeless, unconscious semi-naked man collapsed across a tube station entrance - the policeman reluctantly prodded him with his shoe, and on confirming he was alive that was it.

So - best course of action is your local councillor. There great for these kinds of issues. They may be able to identify the right services to help / be at the right people to find a solution .

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