London Homeless - England, UK

[Dominic]

Regional focus for London England UK on homelessness and homeless discussion related to London, England - UK. Are you homeless or involved with homelessness in London, England?

[beatonthestreet]

The number of homeless families in England has topped 100,000 for the first time.
But more than three quarters of the families are living in good quality, self contained temporary homes, not on the streets, ministers say.
An extra £150m is being released to help the 500,000 homeless people.
Adam Sampson, of the charity, Shelter, said the figures were a "damning indictment" of the fourth-richest country in the world.
Temporary accommodation could damage health, education and prospects, especially for children, he said

Mr Sampson said there were not enough affordable social houses available to rent, adding: "It's a half a billion pound problem the government is going to have to dig very deep to resolve."
The new figures show the number of households in accommodation arranged by local councils under homelessness laws was 100,810 at the end of September.
The figure was up 6,680 on the previous year, with 82% of the families in self-contained accommodation and 18% using shared facilities.
The number of families in bed and breakfasts was down 28% from last year, although slightly up from June.
'Hidden homeless'
Crisis, the national charity for single homeless people, said the figures were just the "tip of the iceberg".
"When you add in the 380,000 'hidden homeless' - those living in hostels, squats and other places - there are nearly half a million homeless people in the UK today," said chief executive Shaks Ghosh.
But Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott insisted the government was tackling the problem.
The situation was not good enough but it was very different from the problem left by the last Conservative government, he said.

"Now the homelessness is not about people living on the streets, it's living in proper accommodation, some of it private, some of it council housing.
"Basically, what it means is they don't have a settled arrangement."
Since 2002 councils had a duty to find people settled housing, said Mr Prescott. The numbers staying in bed and breakfast were down 94% since 1997, with rough sleeping down 70%,
He also hailed a doubling of investment in housing and pledged £90m to improve hostels.
But Liberal Democrat local government spokesman Ed Davey said figures showing homelessness would not improve until 2007 were buried in a note to the official report.
This was an "admission of total failure", he said.
"Even if the government does reverse the trend, it will take 22 years just to get homelessness back to the level it was in 1997.
"Every family should have a home - but under Labour that simple aspiration won't be possible until 2037."
Conservative Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning John Hayes said: "Tony Blair came into power pledging to tackle the scandal of homelessness in Britain. But he has cheated tens of thousands of homeless families.
"The government's only sorry success has been the funding of temporary accommodation and Mr Prescott has no coherent plan which offers hope to the homeless."

[beatonthestreet]

A record number of homeless people were helped at the annual Open Christmas after the Millennium Dome, London, was chosen as a venue for the event, figures recently released reveal.
The homelessness charity Crisis, which organises the annual campaign, reported today that 1,500 homeless people were housed and supported in the dome and five other venues across London in the course of the week-long event.
A spokeswoman said today this was the highest ever, and 300 more than the previous year.
"The pull of the venue helped make it our biggest ever Open Christmas," she said.
Around 1,000 people were housed and helped in the dome itself. Crisis was allowed to use the troubled former visitor attraction rent-free by its current owner English Partnerships, the government's regeneration agency.
There was also a record number of volunteers at this year's event with 4,500 helping out over the week. This meant there were three volunteers for every homeless person helped.
The Crisis spokeswoman said the ratio of volunteers to clients had to be high because of the amount of behind the scenes work involved in preparing and dismantling the temporary hostels. She also pointed out that the volunteers typically work two seven-hour shifts, whereas the homeless people tend to be present all week.
Crisis also gave details of the support that was provided over the week.
This included:
• 650 medical check ups
• 150 dental check ups
• 25 teeth removed
• 230 visits to opticians
• 90 pairs of new glasses handed out
• 200 people attended IT classes
• 300 people attended art classes

[beatonthestreet]

Homelessness in London has risen by 37% in four years, according to new figures recently released that underline the impact of the housing crisis in the capital.

Responding to a question from the Liberal Democrats in the London assembly, the London mayor's office revealed that the number of families recorded as homeless increased by more than 18,000 between December 2000 and December last year.

During this time four London boroughs recorded a rise homelessness of more than 100%. Havering on the eastern edge of London saw the sharpest rise with an increase of 450% from 147 families in 2000 to 809 last year.

Only five out of 33 London boroughs witnessed a fall in homelessness over the period.

The rise in homelessness in the capital suggests that the government's new target of halving the number in temporary accommodation by 2010 will be particularly challenging.

The Liberal Democrats' London housing spokeswoman, Dee Doocey, expressed her alarm at the statistics.

"Having permanent and decent shelter is the most basic of human rights. It is scandalous that the number of homeless families has swollen by 18,000 in just four years," she said.

Ms Doocey claimed that the figures represented only the "tip of the iceberg" as they do not include the so-called hidden homeless - such as people forced to sleep on friends' sofas.

She added: "The number of people in temporary accommodation has risen to intolerable levels and it is now time that the government addressed this trend with as much vigour as it tackled the rough sleeper problem."

She suggested that reusing empty homes offered a solution to the problem.

"If we can put a man on the moon then why are ministers unable to bring the 100,000 empty homes in London back into use for those need them most," she asked.

But the homelessness charity Shelter called for an increase in new affordable housing.

Its director, Adam Sampson, said: "The growth in homelessness in London is a direct consequence of the failure to invest properly in housing. Bringing empty homes back into use is a perfectly laudable policy but only a partial solution: nothing short of a huge increase in the number of social houses for rent will solve London's appalling homelessness problem."

A spokesman for the mayor's office said the rise in homelessness was "unacceptable" and due mainly to the fall in the supply of affordable rented homes.

But he added: "The mayor's policies on housing and homelessness in the London Plan are starting to bear fruit, backed up by additional government investment.

"The number of new homes built in the capital in 2004 was at its highest level in more than two decades. With the mayor's target that 50% of new homes in London should be affordable, we anticipate the number of new affordable homes will this year rise to 10,000 for the first time for many years."

[beatonthestreet]

It is 15 times harder for homeless people in London to get a job than it was 20 years ago, a charity has found.
St Mungo's annual survey of homeless people revealed that 5% had had some form of employment, but in 1986 that figure was 86%.

About 60% said they could not find a job that paid enough for them to get into rented accommodation.

And half of those interviewed said they had no chance of getting a job without a permanent mailing address.

The survey also showed that homeless people would ideally like to work in IT, construction and the leisure industry and the majority had held down regular work before becoming homeless.

The exact number of homeless people in London is not known, but about 20,000 people live in premises for the homeless.

This does not include people in bed and breakfasts and squats. One in 10 people sleeping rough are women and one in four are over 50, according to the charity.

[mandi]

i think london is huge in realtion to the data on young homelessness, i think the media portray the place as glam, so young runaways go there hoping to find there dreams, when reality hits home, they are in trouble and get into all kinds of things, the media in my opinion stuff most things up

[g25hmeless]

Myself and my lesbian partner had difficulty getting ANY help from any organisation. At one point a certain organisation turned us away for a blanket.

When we became officially homeless I had just got out of hospital after being in there for bowel disease flair up. No help was offered to us and we had to rely on each other for support which at times was difficult.

In the end I posted an ad on a site and a good samiritan rescued us out of our tent.

[allnights]

My name is Martin i am 37 year old male homeless in London and have been for over a year. I suffer from Mental Health problems, they think its Bipolar but yet to be confirmed. I also suffer from Oesophagitis, Grade C, due to a Hiatus Hernia. I have Bi-lateral Plantar Fasciitis which makes it difficult to walk too far and stand too long. I have a clicking in my heels, Achilles Tendinitis. I also suffer from something known as Restless Leg Syndrome and have real trouble falling asleep, the Restless Leg Syndrome doesn't help.

I have one brother that lives in the back of another brothers shop, which is about to go out of business. The brother who owns the shop wants to leave his unreasonable girlfriend. This means that my two brothers are about to become homeless before too long. This knowledge compounds my mental health problem.

I have had a difficult time, constantly liasing with the local council's housing department and solicitors but nothing ever seems to happen.

Two years ago my father died unexpectadly and I have been devastated at the lack of help I and my family have recieved. This to the point where I have attempted suicide once and have had many repeated thoughts along those lines.

Going on what I have said does anyone know whether the council should have helped me? Or does anyone know of an organisation in London that can help people like me? Or know whether the council should help me?

Thanks

[Tom.]

Hello allnights,

The only advice that I can offer is that you go and talk to the staff at:
Connection at St. Martins day centre which is now in temporary accommodation situated next to St. Martin in the fields church in Trafalgar square.

This centre offers the most comprehensive homeless service that I know of in London, including legal advice.
Connections opens seven days a week at 9am .. note: there is a limited service facility at weekends.

If you are already aware of this centre, then may I suggest that you try:

The Manna centre .. 6 melior street ... London ... SE1 3QP. This centre is also open seven days a week with a limited sevice facility at the weekends.

Good luck to you in your search for accommodation

[allnights]

Also I would like to point out that you never seem to be able to get help via e-mail. Both the Shelter and Citizen's Advice Bureau will not give advice via email. This is quite frustrating for many people who are homeless and especially for me when you have to stand outside for long periods then only to be told to go away for a couple of hours and come back again, which hurts my feet. And when you do return after 30 minutes they tell you you neen to visit a different CAB Centre withing the area where your local council is!?!

[Tom.]

Hi again allnights ...

Without a post code life on the streets can be more difficult than need be.
Many street homeless people are nomadic, that is they tend to drift from borough to borough .. some from city to city.

What you need to do is to locate a day centre that will allow you to use their premises as a c/o (care of) postal address including post code.

Whether you actually stay within the area of that postcode doe's not matter,for computor purposes that is where you are registered .. without a postcode you cannot get membership for a library or use any other councils facilities,and that includes the CAB ... So, for example if you are registered in Camden, you would be entitled to use the council provided facilities within Camden only, including the CAB.

Note: Most boroughs will honour another boroughs library card .. if you use the computer services in the library then a neighbouring borough will probably honour your membership card .. but I'm not sure whether this would apply to borrowing books.

If you have contact with .. outreach workers .. ask for copy of a handbook entitled ... ' inreach '... there is a comprehensive list of services and other very useful information in this free book.

Click this link for Five of the major day centres in London: .. http://forums.homeless.org.au/showthread.php?t=1442
Any one of these will allow you to use their postal address.

[chris2008]

Hi. I'm new here and I'm trying to help a homeless person here in South London. I've posted at another forum earlier and would like to basically ask the same question so I'll repeat what I posted.

I've been trying to see if i can find any information on helping a homeless 19 year old kid near where I live and it's all not as easy as i thought it would be. He sits by the side of the street, asking for spare change. I've known him for many months now and we've talked more and more. I now consider him a friend and help him out with food/money sometimes. He's not on drugs, and wants to get a job but finds it hard to overcome all the issues that go with that ie. clean clothing for work, money for food and rent while waiting for his first pay, and finding a job that pays enough to survive. On top of that, he has no ID papers.

London is in my opinion a really expensive city. When i was living in Sydney, I could survive on minimum wage for my basic expenses. I don't think I can in London because the minimum pay is just not enough for basic expenses.

Unfortunately, I recently lost my job and I'll be leaving London in slightly more than a month to return to Sydney. But before I leave, I really want to see if I can help this kid. I tried searching online for help but it's all really confusing for me. I know there are many homeless people around and i'm not hoping to change the world. I'm just hoping to help this ONE friend.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Also, how do I get him identification papers? Does anyone know?
Thanks.

[Tom.]

Hi Chris,

I'm in central London and that is where the majority of help for homeless teenagers can be found.

In the first instance click onto this thread below, maybe you've already had a look at this page, but if not there is a comprehensive list of London services availble for all sorts of peoples including teenagers.

http://forums.homeless.org.au/showthread.php?t=1442

The homeless situation in London is very complex at the moment. You will probably be aware that Britain has had, and indeed is still subjected to an influx of immigrants from many parts of the world. The rules and laws that apply to immigrants are again very very complex. many people that are now living on our streets are not eligible for any form of state assistance or help and have to rely on charity based organisations to supply their everyday needs.

This teenager that you refer to may well be one of those immigrants .. Legal or otherwise. You state that he has no ID papers ? This would suggest that he might well be an illegal immigrant. If so, it is only a matter of time before he becomes known to the police. The London police come down very hard on street beggars and if this guy is arrested, whether he is a legal immigrant or not, he will find that life will become much more difficult as far as finding a job goes because of his new found criminal record. (For begging.)

Finally for now, can I thank you for your obvious concern for this individual, most people would not give a beggar a second look, and if this guy trusts you, try and persuade him to seek assistance if he is eligible before the looming autumn and winter sets in. London can be a very cold place in the winter and we do lose street people to hypothermia. If you require more information from me please ask, but can I first ask you before you do that to try and find as much about this guy as you can. I might then be able to direct him to where he can find help. Providing he wants to go that way of course.

You can send me a private message via the facilities of these forums if you so wish. That way it will remain private. To do that click onto my name at the top of this page and my profile will be made available to you. From there you can send a private message (PM) to me.

[chris2008]

Originally Posted by Tom.

Finally for now, can I thank you for your obvious concern for this individual, most people would not give a beggar a second look, and if this guy trusts you, try and persuade him to seek assistance if he is eligible before the looming autumn and winter sets in. London can be a very cold place in the winter and we do lose street people to hypothermia.

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your reply and I hope you got the private message I sent you in regards to this friend of mine. I'm still hoping to help him in any way i can but I'm not sure how to continue, now that recent issues have come to light.

But regarding what you said about winter, according to him, there are churches that he can go to during winter and he has told me not to worry.
However, I am wondering if you know anyone who works with the homeless young people in Croydon as I am hoping I can continue to help him from Australia as well. I suppose I won't be able to do much from so far away except maybe for financial help, but I'm hoping I can keep in touch with someone who can physically check up on him once in a while, just to make sure that he's ok. I know it seems selfish to care for one homeless friend of mine when there are so many other homeless people around, and I'm probably asking for a lot... but do you know anyone in Croydon?

Also, would it be possible to call you or meet you in person if I travel to the city?
Thanks for any advice.
Chris

[Tom.]

Check your private messages Chris ... I will forward more details when I have the time.

[sangina]

This is a joint poster name, I am also g25homeless. I posted nearly 2 years ago stating that we had been rescued from a tent.

Well, we are HOMELESS again. We are struggling to keep the roof over our head again. We cannot get a deposit for own place and we need out of the place we are in as soon as possible before something happens.

If someone can give us advice as to what to do, please also see my thread on the advice we need.

[Tom.]

London Mayor Boris Johnson has pledged to get rough sleepers off the city's streets by 2012.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7889059.stm

[Dominic]

Tom, we saw that video a while ago. Do you have an update?

[Tom.]

In short, no I have heard no more on this pledge by Boris Johnson.

There is a reference to this video piece on this thread (#7) but no Link to it:

http://forums.homeless.org.au/showthread.php?t=2661

As you can imagine there are many preparations going on in London at the moment for the Olympic games that will come here in 2012. Getting the street homeless people off of the streets may not be the top priority for Boris Johnson, but I suspect that it soon will be.