I just have no words

[Soloparenthelp]

What has this country become.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67321319

@Fizzadora maybe read that expert's post again - she clearly states there are reasons and these should be addressed, and that banning tents won't help. Which is the point those of us who have a reasonable level of reading comprehension are making.

I also work in homelessness and yes, in some cases it's a "lifestyle choice" but a) is banning tents going to change that (hint: no) and b) it's only as much of a lifestyle choice as it is about a complex network of interconnecting issues which results in street homelessness being the most secure and reliable thing for some point.

Banning tents and penalising those who use them is not going to address the root causes.

You need to actually read what that poster wrote. Then you will have your answer.

Nothing to say about Suella.

I’ve lived in the city centre of three capital cities over the decades. I’ve seen homeless close-up (my doorstep was a toilet). Where I live now, things have reached crisis-point. There’s lots of good help but the drug problem is a huge factor. It’s worse than ever. The aggression on the streets is obvious, it must be terrifying for homeless people, especially at night. The tents are a form of protection as well as shelter.

But as far as the impact on locals / businesses. Yes, it is a problem. As a retailer, on a major city shopping street. As a cafe owner, serving breakfast. As a hair salon offering a luxury service. It might sound trite… But young staff have to go in & open up in the morning. The interests of these business owners (and corporate landlords) are of concern the government. Unfortunately, she is backing these interests. But she would.

Homelessness, I mean.

That poster says that a policy banning tents won't help.

Maybe it's a choice in some cases (I won't disagree with someone who knows more), but it's hardly a choice made by people in a great situation is it. If someone is choosing it then something has gone very wrong. Does Suella have any plans to address this beyond taking away the tent? No one is choosing it because they fancy a free tent.

No she doesn't. And that's the problem.

It's not even a plaster on a gushing wound, it's directions to the local a&e in a language you don't understand.

For the vast majority it's not a lifestyle choice as in 'I really fancy living in a tent in the centre of Gloucester', it's a lifestyle choice because their x dealer is in the hostel they've been allocated and they're scared of them, they've been banned from the hostels for drug/ alcohol/ antisocial behaviour, they feel safer in their tent etc.

I didn't use the term "lifestyle choice" for a reason.

Many of the people I work with have a wide range of issues, often starting from childhood. Invariably there is substance misuse, dual diagnosis, frequent offending, benefit sanctions , repeat homelessness. They might have no family support, or cone from a chaotic background. Just as a start. Providing housing doesn't solve those problems. Managing a tenancy can be difficult without all if those issues.

She's a monster.

Interestingly, another thread on this issue was deleted earlier this evening because MN had 'concerns'. Very odd.

I can't wait for the day for her to be thrown out of office right on her backside and for her to be drowned in by hundreds of court cases where people are suing her for abusing her position. Evil evil wicked person.

I worked in homelessness in a large city during the late 90s and early noughties. (Labour) The numbers of street homeless were way lower than now - and we had a huge range of options and support services. For starters, there were hostels for a range of people - young people, older people, women only, wet houses, dry houses, dog friendly and so so. There were supported housing options - again varied - so people could be helped to move on.

Of course, for various complex reasons, some people did not leave the streets. They would be visited twice a day for food/hot drinks /fags/companionship. Even those living in the woods just outside the city. A CPN and mental health Social worker would go out with the workers a few times a week to get to know people. There was one woman who didn’t want to move into a hostel but opted for us to collect her every week or so so she could have a bath, and then we’d return her to her spot.

Many friends still work in the same area in homelessness. Services are decimated and numbers are through the roof. Hostels are understaffed and many feel unsafe for residents and for staff. It’s bloody awful.

I was fuming when I read what she’d said so I donated some money to a well-known homelessness charity. Thought I’d turn her callousness into something more positive.

On my way to work, I pass a place where many homeless people spend the night.

It's a sad looking piece of scrap land that gets cleard ever so often....
Banning tents will make no difference to this piece of srap land or the people who stay there for the night. All it would do take away their shelter from the wind & rain...

Absolutely agree with this. Banning tents does not address the complex needs and issues that some homeless people have. This government are not willing to put the money and support in place to actually help people. Instead they vilify the most vulnerable in society. I’m dreading what other awful measures they’ll come up with in the next year in their desperation to stay in government and ensure they keep their votes from their right wing base.

@FatCatatPaddingtonStation
Absolutely this! I came to say something similar but you have articulated it far better than I would have done. After well over 20 years working in the field I got pushed out when budgets were cut so far services became unsafe & I've seen the situation do nothing but deteriorate since 😞

Realistically, of course, preventing people from using tents won't make any noticeable difference to this sort of issue. Surely people will just put up makeshift shelters, whether it's sheets draped over some sort of support, cardboard or whatever. Anyone who actually wanted to resolve the problem (as opposed to demonising the homeless) would put support in place to persuade people into the available shelter and accommodation.

How awful to get shouted at while walking home to a warm house.

And how will taking these people's tents away help?

In my town there are solo tents, pitched in church gardens, parks, grass verges. Can you imagine that being your best option for a place to sleep? And then someone takes it away.

But yeh I'm sorry you are a bit scared by homeless people shouting at you.

Can you seriously not imagine what impact tents have on other people?

In our town there’s no reason to be homeless

Where's that then, Trumpton?

Avoiding tent cities and the poo problem that goes with that?

https://secretmanchester.com/embassy-village-manchester/
I don't know whether this system works, but a tent is not a suitable place for anyone to sleep in winter (except those insane campers)
Enclosed camping areas with facilities would perhaps make more sense for those who refuse hostels, but again putting people together pushes unpleasant people near other people.

Obviously drug paraphernalia, broken glass, trip hazards, fights, excrement, assaults. No address so hard for paramedics to find them when they are reported overdosed or assaulting each other, hypothermia, fire hazards, dog attacks, animal neglect.How privileged you must be to not even be able to imagine these things. Is it because your life is so rosy that you have never encountered it? Well it does exist so please don't accept it on behalf of others less insulated from real than you who have to live with it in their public spaces

Urgh, she's awful. There are so many reasons why people might live in a tent.

I didn’t read the full article but there was a homeless guy a few months ago camped outside a nearby supermarket in a tent. Someone posted his story on social media, it gained huge traction overnight. People were taking him food, then a local hotel put him up for the night, then members of the public were phoning the hotel paying for extra nights, the local mps got involved to fast track some support, he had several job offers from people. A few days later he was back in his tent as apparently he could earn more money doing that than going to work.

i am sure he is in the tiny minority but it does happen that people refuse help.

This is so typically mean spirited. You can't escape the feeling that it's at least partly motivated by a wish to kill off these inconvenient poor people.