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AIBU?

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Original poster

Most effective way(s) to support homeless people?

228 replies

Cocorico · 06/12/2017 17:01

Would be really interested to hear your thoughts/guidance on this please.

I live in London at the moment, and I see a lot of homeless people every day.

I'm sure that there are also a lot of homeless people in other towns and cities across the U.K., and that the number of people in this situation will either increase or decrease over time depending on various factors e.g. the amount of social security available to people who are struggling financially.

Anyway... my question is (AIBU to ask) how can we help homeless people most effectively?

Is it best to:
A) give money to people directly

B) to help in a more indirect way (for example, by donating to charities involved in helping homeless people or people in financial difficulty, volunteering for these charities, donating to food banks, helping out at food banks or any other way)

C) to do a combination of both A and B.

Thanks very much.

OP posts:
Loveache · 07/12/2017 00:30

I used to give to smaller homeless charities (ireland) until the CEO of one of them was outed with an absolutely sickeningly greedy salary. I prefer to give directly now.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 00:34

Bare in mind that some charities (the ones that house), can't help some people i.e. people who haven't been in the borough long enough, people with no ID, certain foreign nationalities.
A cigarette, a can of beer, a pound or two can literally light up their lives. Also food. Something small, like a one pound hamburger from McD's (appetites can be low due to not eating). Also, hats, gloves, scarves, clean socks, clean underwear. A good sleeping bag if you have that much to spare. A backpack to carry their belongings in.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 00:36

Streetlink can't help you unless you have been in a particular borough (with documentation to prove it) for at least 6 months. No-second-night-out are the same.

If you haven't money to give, just bidding them the time of day, or a smile can mean that you're not invisible.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 00:37

And you can't beat a cup of coffee or tea if you catch them in the morning.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 00:39

Also, I know it's hard to stomach, but a lot are alcohol dependent. So a few coins towards their next can is gratefully received. Something else useful is baby wipes. And insect spray, as you can get eaten alive sleeping rough.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 00:42

Another thing that would be useful, but costs a bit, is a one week bus travel pass. It means they can travel on buses at night and be out of the cold. It also means they can get to soup kitchens which are not as common as you would think.

Rooooooood · 07/12/2017 00:45

A cigarette, a can of beer, a pound or two can literally light up their lives

I think that's a bit of a stretch 😊 They might be fleetingly grateful though.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 00:49

I unfortunately speak from experience of living on the streets for three months. Also, if it's a girl, sanitary products are a major problem. Clean underwear would be good for a female as would sanitary products. Not much point giving a rough sleeper toothpaste etc., as there are not many places where you could get to brush your teeth. Chewing gum or mouthwash might help.

I'm obviously talking about the rough sleepers. There are some who have hostels to sleep in at night, where they can wash and get food etc. But they're usually out during the day too.

Just a little kindness. Even if it's 20p.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 00:50

Rooooooooooood. Believe me, having been there, it CAN actually make your day.

notangelinajolie · 07/12/2017 00:52

Invite them into your home. Give them a bed and a good meal. It will make them feel wanted again.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 00:57

Sleeping on the streets, you frequently get robbed. By your fellow homeless usually!

Another thing to bear in mind is when it rains, all your belongings get soaked through, including yourself. So something waterproof for a backpack, even a black bin bag to put their stuff in within a backpack can help.
I was homeless during the summer. I don't think I'd have survived a winter. It gets so cold at night, even in summer.

Original poster
Cocorico · 07/12/2017 00:58

@notangelinajolie I fully appreciate what you're saying and agree with you completely about the idea behind this. I think it's a really kind thing to you.

However, it's still a bloody massive risk inviting a stranger into your home. There was a case that happened last year, I think, where a woman was killed by a homeless man who she'd helped and taken into her house as a lodger (as mentioned by a PP earlier in this thread).

OP posts:
Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 00:58

One couple, while I was homeless, the girl had also been homeless in a previous life, brought me in to have a shower in her flat. I never felt so clean lol.

Original poster
Cocorico · 07/12/2017 00:59

@Whoyagonna I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how awful that must have been Flowers:( how are you now? Have you got more permanent accommodation?

OP posts:
Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 01:01

I wouldn't invite them into your home. I say that as someone who has slept rough. You really don't know who you're dealing with and it would be very unwise. There were all sorts homeless, you get to know them all. Some of them were fucked up. Honestly, I wouldn't invite them into your home.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 01:02

Yes, I'm in a council flat now. Warm and toasty and eternally grateful.

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/12/2017 01:05

I do house homeless people in my place. 6 in 4 years. BUT it is through a program and they have support. I would never suggest untrained inexperienced people invite strangers. And it's a bloody big commitment.

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 01:14

My problem was that all my ID was stolen so I couldn't claim benefits or do anything at all. I guess some homeless become ruthless. It's a fight for survival. I don't hate them for it. Being homeless taught me a very harsh lesson. I find it hard to pass someone on the pavement and not give them whatever I have.

No charity ever helped me. Not one. The Baptist church gave breakfast once a week. No registered charity ever ever did anything for me.

Ironic thing is that before I became homeless I was secretary for the charity committee in my previous workplace. One of the charities was supporting homeless people. Hah!

loveyouradvice · 07/12/2017 01:21

Ive always thought through the charities but my teenage daughter wanted to give some money to someone begging outside Pret and what we actually did is say come in and choose what you want to eat.... and it felt like a great thing to do - he got what he wanted, we knew where the money was going and it felt much more humane than arbitrarily deciding what to give him.... and from the way he responded I don't think it had happened before...... Not going to solve homelessness but I would do it again....

Whoyagonna · 07/12/2017 01:53

loveyouradvice that was a really lovely thing to do. I bet he/she felt as proud as punch being able to choose what to eat.

CactusCactusCactus · 07/12/2017 06:54

D) Don't vote Tory. We had reduced homelessness to very low levels until recently.

While I am certainly a leftie I wouldn't normally directly attribute something to a particular party as issues normally arise over a couple of governments.

However in 2010 homelessness was at a very low level, shelters only partially full, mainly people with more complex needs etc. Introduction of the bedroom tax, benefit cap, universal credit, underfunding for mental health services, domestic violence refuges, austerity generally and a host of other Tory measures has caused this.

CactusCactusCactus · 07/12/2017 06:57

It's not predicted to get any better. Imagine double the people there are now.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/10/uk-homeless-expected-double-2041-charity-crisis-warns

This is a government issue. Write to your MP.

Oldsu · 07/12/2017 07:36

Ta1kinPeace if you want to give socks and pants buy new ones, just because someone is homeless does not mean they should have to wear someone's cast off old pants even if washed. I bought 12 packets of thermal men's and women's socks from my local market and took them to the Salvation Army along with new scarves and woolly hats I know they will go to people who need them

GrandDesespoir · 07/12/2017 08:43

loveyouradvice that was a really lovely thing to do. I bet he/she felt as proud as punch being able to choose what to eat.

Yes, probably. If he was five years old. Hmm

It was a kind and thoughtful gesture, but expecting a grown adult to feel proud because they get to choose their own sandwich is beyond patronising.

GrandDesespoir · 07/12/2017 08:53

whoyagonna - sorry, I've just seen that you have experienced homelessness firsthand so you obviously know what you're talking about.