okka north Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Why in 2006 do we have homeless people on the streets of Sheffield? With so much state help and 'free' housing and housing benefit, why still, do we have people who sleep on the streets. I appreciate, nationally, there is severe underfunding in the homeless charity sector, but why, particularly for younger people. I also appreciate it must be impossible to get a job without an address and the rest, but why do we have boarded up council properties when there are people on the street? Do they not want to improve their standard of living? Or is it that sufficient assistance simply isn't available? I also know that some, if not all (can't say as a fact) collect state benefits from the benefit office, but why aren't different agencies working together? Or are they. Sorry a bit perplexed about this situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadgetgirl Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 the council are currently demolishing usable homes to make space to sell off the land to property developers for 'starter' homes , unfortunately the people you mention will not get a look in as they'll never get a mortgage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentos2004 Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 the council are currently demolishing usable homes to make space to sell off the land to property developers for 'starter' homes , unfortunately the people you mention will not get a look in as they'll never get a mortgage. And another point is that unfortunately theres "other" groups of people that get the propertys first as they are more important than the homeless people according to the gorvernment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kthebean Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Some people lack the essential skills necessary to maintain a home - they may have drug or alcohol problems, or do not have the motivation because of something thats happened to them in the past - divorce, death of a family member, trauma in the army... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadgetgirl Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 they could always be given support couldn't they, if the local council is really keen to house them or is there government money available if they maintain a large enough 'homeless' population in their area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloomdido Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 They are given support. I've been down the Archer Project and had a cup of tea with them. They are homeless for allsorts of reasons. It opened my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittenta Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Correct me if i'm wrong anyone but I believe you can't claim benefits unless you have an address for them to at least send post to. Until you are in reciept of benefits you can't have a council property or rent otherwise and so can't claim housing benefit unless you already live somewhere? So if you are alone on the streets for whatever reason you are pretty much stuck there unless you go into a shelter or something but you can't claim benefits from these shelters. If i'm incorrect on any of this please correct me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickeyBarnes Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 i think homeless people should just be told... get a house... or its euthanasia time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okka north Posted September 19, 2006 Author Share Posted September 19, 2006 Correct me if i'm wrong anyone but I believe you can't claim benefits unless you have an address for them to at least send post to. Until you are in reciept of benefits you can't have a council property or rent otherwise and so can't claim housing benefit unless you already live somewhere? So if you are alone on the streets for whatever reason you are pretty much stuck there unless you go into a shelter or something but you can't claim benefits from these shelters. If i'm incorrect on any of this please correct me! People can claim benefits, even without address, it's called no fixed abode. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Macbeth Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 They are given support. I've been down the Archer Project and had a cup of tea with them. They are homeless for allsorts of reasons. It opened my eyes. You are so right! Some people are homeless for a short time, get priority for housing, and things work out. Others who are on the streets may not fit the criteria for priority, they may have rent arrears outstanding from previous tenancies, or they may be unable or unwilling to manage a tenancy. Some young people are homeless because their families kick them out, perhaps because there's a new step parent, or perhaps because the youngster won't get a job, etc, etc..... There isn't one simple solution. Many more people are helped than the public realise - all local authorities have statutory duties to help people in certain categories - the government make the rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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