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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to wonder why the homeless population i see are overwhelming white men?

83 replies

staydazzling · 13/08/2019 17:59

this is a genuine question, and observation so definitely not intended to be a bunfight, i just wonder why the escalating homeless issue seems to effect the population most people would view as one of the most privileged. i have a seen a few women, i do in balance live more rurally so maybe my general environment is more white anyway.But its tragic all the same.

OP posts:
AngelasAshes · 14/08/2019 09:14

@Alexisa66
“There is a racket going on where thugs will 'own' streetcorners and rent them out to anyone willing to hand over a chunk of the takings. 15 yrs ago they were making £400 a day. Some of them are doing quite well.”

This actually dates from medieval times. Beggars (who are actually homeless and suffering) would have to pay a tithe to the underworld king of that part of the city. Every city, especially London, has a shadow system and hierarchy that controls begging through other criminal endeavours like B&E, sex trafficking, gambling, etc.
Failure to pay your dues usually results in being murdered...and homeless beggars are the most vulnerable.
Over time, we started to call each king & his subjects “gangs”...
But it’s not new. It was probably around in Damascus 10,000 yrs ago. Was definitely in Rome.

tiredandreadyforbed · 14/08/2019 13:03

I think society doesn’t want to face the fact that many people in poverty are a job loss/illness/accident away from being homeless. So, society makes it into either a moral failing (avoidable) by blaming drink/drugs or into being mad (which most “respectable” people think can’t happen to them).

I didn't want to copy paste the whole of your post but everything single thing you wrote is exactly right. You've articulated what I wanted to say far far better than I ever could.

Many, many people are on low incomes through no fault of their own. Illness (physical or mental) is a common reason. Housing benefit/UC simply doesn't cover many rents. Even when it does, increasing numbers of landlords don't take tenants on benefits (including those in work needing top up benefits). This is how people become homeless. Getting sick, being made redundant, DV.

A PP suggested street homeless women are likely those unable to maintain social relationships who pick bad boyfriends. Presumably true for some (and they should be in supported housing rather than left on the streets), but there are many more like me. I'm not (yet) homeless but could be if I left my violent partner. Which he knows. It's one of the ways he controls me.

I was/am very social, had good friendships and work contacts. DV destroys your support networks. Financial abuse, emotional abuse, coercive control, hiding bruises. Also, they don't present as terrible boyfriends at the start. You don't realise until it's too late.

I have chronic health conditions. Easily managed but my partner makes it difficult to do so. Being ill, even without DV, isolates you. When an ongoing health condition stops you getting out and about and you have to cancel meetups or not say yes in the first place, friends start to drift away. Family are very elderly and looking at care homes. Siblings both live abroad. Abusive partner has slowly cut me off from work and friends.

This is how some women (and men) become homeless.

staydazzling · 15/08/2019 06:33

oh im sorry tiredandreadyforbed, have you disclosed it to anyone?

OP posts:
tiredandreadyforbed · 19/08/2019 15:08

Sorry for posting on a now old thread. I just wanted to thank staydazzling for their kind reply. I know I should start my own thread if I was to post more on my situation but just to answer your question, yes I've disclosed to GP (who was very unhelpful), and the police have been out a few times but I'm so scared of ending up homeless that I'm still with him. I have vague plans to leave but it's s slow process.

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/08/2019 15:19

I've worked in homelessness for decades. I don't know where the PP live but 30 years ago I was working in shelters in South London and the majority of clients in some were BAME. I lived and worked in a very diverse community. Very very rarely Asian.

Women will be primary carers more often, they are hidden homeless more often, they are hidden street homeless more often, they will trade rape for a bed more often and maintain social circles a little better. Friends are relatives are a bit more likely to risk giving a vulnerable woman a sofa than a man. Men are also more likely to be coming out of long-term systems like prison or the army than women are. Long-term systems make you very vulnerable to homelessness. And prisons are full of men, not women.

CSIblonde · 19/08/2019 15:32

I'd say it's 30% white women & 70% white men,where I live in NE London . Within the 70% are 10% other nationalities.
The women are mainly barefoot heroin addicts. Central London about the same, only they're way younger. Men are often socially isolated & find asking for help harder according to Samaritans statistics.

HelenaDove · 26/08/2019 00:17

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-whose-partner-tried-kill-19001453

told by council to move 158 miles or face homelessness.

PumpkinP · 26/08/2019 01:16

I live In South east London and yes I would say I see a lot more homeless white men than black. I don’t agree that women get priority for housing by simply being female I think people are getting that wrong. I know in my borough you certainly don’t get priority for being a woman, you need to be homeless AND in priority need (have children or be pregnant.) So it may seem like women get priority but a single homeless woman in my area would be treated exactly the same as a single homeless man.

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