Aren't rough sleepers choosing to sleep rough? Don't the local authorities help those who need it? Expand The short answer is "no". Local councils do not have the resources to help people as quickly and as efficiently as any of us would like, and many people find there is very little the local government can do. There just isn't enough affordable or public housing in central London. Demand far outweighs supply and councils are under-resourced to provide the help that the law requires. If you are homeless in the UK, your local authority only has a duty to provide housing if you can pass eligibility criteria. Individuals who are not British will often fail "eligibility" hurdle. For those that do pass, the local authority (council) will often only help if you fit into a very narrowly defined definition of "priority need"--a category that includes pregnant women, families with dependent children and victims of natural disaster such as a flood or fire. Even for those who seem like they should have a strong case, the barriers can be daunting. On top of all this, individuals who are already homeless often fall between the cracks because they can not document a recent "local connection" to the borough in which they are sleeping rough. For those that do not qualify, there's no support available from local authorities. In the meantime, people remain homeless, particularly in Greater London, with many sleeping rough even in the coldest months of the year. Charities like ours step in to help those who have nowhere else to turn. Churches in the boroughs in which we operate have come together to offer hospitality and support. The shelters give guests a chance to get rest and regain a bit of security. Meanwhile, Glass Door's caseworkers can work with guests to access the support to which they are entitled. Glass Door caseworkers also help those ineligible for support find jobs and save money for deposits for private rental properties. A woman in her forties, we'll call her Alicia, comes regularly to our women's drop-in sessions. When asked what her experience had been like looking for support before turning to us, she had this to say: Asking for help, I would get endless referrals. All would tell me: 'You are not entitled.' It was a phrase I came to identify with. Overview of the homelessness legislation A summary of the homelessness legislation and the duties, powers and obligations on housing authorities and others towards people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homelessness-code-of-guidance-for-local-authorities/overview-of-the-homelessness-legislation
How can I help homeless people in my area? Expand There are many ways to help. Take a look at our list of top eight ways to make a difference. A smile or kind word to someone you suspect may be sleeping rough is almost always appreciated. Compassion and kindness can go a long way. Donations to your local homeless charity are always appreciated. Glass Door has set up campaigns to raise money so we can continue to run our winter shelters and our year-round support services. We often have more people offering to volunteer than we can currently accommodate, but do keep an eye on our volunteering page to find out about opportunities. Around Christmas, we get a lot of extremely generous donations of items like clothes and coats, but we don't have vast storage space. Consider watching our Things We Need page and consider donating things like socks, new underwear, old towels, toiletries and canned items throughout the year, so that items are available for when people need them. Thank you for your support. If you can spare a regular monthly donation, this helps us to plan ahead and develop long-term programs that help individuals get back on their feet.
Is it true that most people who sit on the street are not homeless? Expand Not all beggars are homeless, and not all homeless people beg. The majority of people who come to us work hard to stay clean and look presentable and do not beg on the street. However, some of our guests are buskers, and they may rely on money raised to pay for hostel accommodation, food, and other necessities.
Should I give a homeless person money? Expand We believe it's a personal matter. You could have a conversation and offer to buy something they need instead. Human contact is just as important.
Will a night shelter in my neighbourhood bring an increase in crime? Expand Homeless people are far more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators. Statistics show that homeless people are fifteen times more likely to be victims of violent assault and over forty times more likely to be victims of theft than are the wider population. By bringing vulnerable individuals inside, we are not only keeping them safe, we are making the neighbourhood safer for everyone. Our experience is that people affected by homelessness stay local to their area. We always advise those outside London to find local services. Contrary to concerns, our shelter do not draw people into in the area; they just makes it safer for vulnerable rough sleepers in the community and for local residents by virtue of rough sleepers not being on the streets. Those attending the night shelter must register in advance with Glass Door. They may not attend if they are intoxicated, and the shelters are supervised throughout the night by Glass Door staff. Trained caseworkers have an excellent record of helping people move into more permanent accommodation, ultimately creating a safer, more humane environment for everyone in the communities where we operate.
