Homeless people

[nooksandcranky]

I've name changed as I expect I will be called unreasonable

My town like many others ( probably all other towns / city's) have put into place accommodating the homeless that live on the streets , they have been accommodated in a nice local hotel and no doubt are reasonably comfortable there for the duration
However I've just driven back from work and two ( separately) are back in position sitting begging in the shop doorways of the two local small supermarkets , right in the doorways of each shop so no chance of any customer maintaining the 2 m social distance away from them
It isn't that they need to beg at the moment as everything they need is provided for them .

I think some just have no intention of being anything other than homeless whatever help is given to them

They are still homeless. The hotel will only be a short term offer. Perhaps they are incomfortable and not used to being inside a room all day and are used to being outside amongst their community. They still have no money and some have severe mental or physical health problems.

I know some have refused the accommodation.

Addicts will still want money for drugs.

Locally this has been happening mostly due to addiction by all accounts. We have a homeless shelter nearby with a no drugs or alcohol policy. And when people leave they haven't been allowed to return due to the corona virus risks. Any temporary accommodation is operating the same policy as well. There was a man in the next town over who people were trying to help but nowhere would take him back in as he kept leaving. It's very sad.

Its really hard isnt it. Providing a hotel doesnt cure someone with addiction/mental health problems. That needs a lot more investment.

They shouldn't be in doorways though, they should move a couple of metres along so that people can enter and leave the premises without getting too close.

Sitting on the pavement can cause an obstruction so they could be asked to move. No they shouldn't sit in doorways but maybe they feel its safer. Maybe they dont really worry too much about people not being able to self distance. Most people ignore the homeless anyway unless it affects them.

It's far more complex than you're making out, but your simplistic version lets you judge and blame them I suppose.

My partner worked with homeless people until november and said at the start some will refuse because of addiction issues.

Some will absolutely have refused accomodation as PP said. My partner said they would when they announced it.

Addiction doesn't just stop because someone is sleeping indoors rather than out. The government may have sorted temporary accommodation for the homeless but they haven't addressed the issues that created the homelessness in the first place.

Walk a mile in their shoes before you judge.

Oh my goodness! Homelessness is so so much more complex than just giving someone a roof over their head for a few months. Addiction, mental health problems and a whole heap of social complexities makes it very hard for the homeless to make the transition from street to housing.

Regarding sitting in a doorway begging. Have you ever done that? What would it take for you to do it? What would have to happen? How might you feel? How would you cope? Try and have a little empathy ....

@CoughKeepsOnComing
Very powerful questions 😔🥺