In Liverpool where I am, there were well publicised phone numbers to report street sleepers. They would be checked on and offered a bed in one of the newly opened, for winter, accommodation. The main building used was a former warehouse. If they didn't want to go, then they'd have regular night checks/hot drinks/warm clothing etc.
Every city should of have this facility.
There is a large former mansion going to be used for Refuggees. It used to be for people claiming asylum. Rival fighters, from parts of Africa, regularly got into knife fights and it couldn't guarantee the residents safety, so it had to close.
I used to work in an advice Center and we had many men come in, who had been sleeping in the Homeless Hostels, until they were Robbed/Assaulted and a few times raped/sexually assaulted.
It's naive to think it's easy to accommodate street sleepers, some are on the street because of their behaviour/convictions/addictions.
""If you are a refugee, and make it to the uk are you housed in a home, or a hostel? Are you given any help to understand how to open a British bank account?
Can you even open one without utility bills etc? If not, how can any benefits or payments be paid to you? ""
You are housed for 28 days in Government accommodation, then move to hostels. You are given food, clothes and 'essentials'. This moves to an allowance.
By the time you are granted permission to stay and are housed, you have a case worker, similar to someone coming out of prison. Charities help alongside this.
Families have to be split up, because the women and children have often suffered male violence/sexual crimes and they deserve to feel safe.
In Liverpool, there are places that you can get a shower and clean your clothes. It was always nice to see the change in someone, after directing them to those services.
But the reasons behind homelessness, is complex and varies, region to region.