Homelessness – an issue that is not going away any time soon

National statistics issued in January showed a 268% increase in homelessness in England between 2010 and 2017.

This is a shocking rise, and is a damning indictment of where society is heading as regards to housing.

Homelessness is more than just those who rough sleep, but the rough sleepers are the obvious sign that housing needs are not being met. Walk down the High Street on any given day and you will be confronted by the sad sight of those seeking refuge in shop doorways and under the railway bridge.

Southend-on-Sea is ninth in the league of local authorities as regards to the number of rough sleepers. The stats show a 64% rise in rough sleeper numbers in a year. In some ways we are a victim of our success when it comes to giving succour to those without homes.

As austerity grinds on (over eight years now) we see cuts year on year to all sorts of agencies that were there to help. Now we often see skeleton services, and one wonders whether all will survive as austerity is promised for a few more years yet.

We do not have enough social housing, The number of council homes is at a new record low, with fewer properties to rent from local authorities than at any point in almost 50 years.

Social house building plummeted after the introduction of the right to buy for council tenants. Local authorities were not allowed to re-invest funds in new housing stock, and with the virtual giving away of new homes under the right to buy scheme there was almost no incentive for local authorities to build.

With high house price values, high rents, and a shortage of low-cost accommodation the homelessness issue is not going away soon. Add in the abundance of low-wage jobs with uncertain hours, and the rise in substance abuse, and the challenge is enormous. Unless government tackles the issue, and the causes, we will have to get used to seeing more and more sleeping rough.

Meagre help for the homeless - scraps and notes from a recent evening

Another spell at a homeless shelter, doing some small bit of good, I hope. A turn at one of the seven churches offering food and shelter in Southend-on-Sea during the winter of 2017 – 2018. This is my second season, having put in half a dozen stints over the previous winter.

Incontinence, recovering from substance problems, recently released from prison; some of the stories behind the faces turning up for succour.

Someone from Glasgow, fairly new to Southend-on-Sea, now sleeping rough. The ex-con, trying to cure alcoholism, eating but not staying.

The ex-dealer who is finding salvation in Jesus, too afraid of rejection to attend any church. Not knowing what to expect if he turned up at church, not knowing how to behave once there, not understanding that not everyone judges.

Missing teeth, so many missing teeth – a testament to tough lifestyles, and badly looked after bodies. The drunk, initially offered a delayed entry in the hope that sobriety would kick in to some extent. The hapless youth, too young to be on the streets, too young to have spent four years there; unable to live with the one remaining parent, struggling with mental health issues. How do those on the streets cope with the necessary routine that is the demand of medication? It seems that often the answer is an obliging pharmacist, but how those dealing with health issues somehow manage this and their desperate circumstances is almost beyond comprehension.

There are the cheerful, and there are the quiet. There are those who seemed to have lost the art of communication, and yet others who are ready to share stories. Gratitude, always grateful. Food and shelter, those most basic of human rights, but clearly in short supply to those below the underclass. Teas and coffees adorned with plenty of sugar. Biscuits happily consumed.

A TV set playing DVDs is eagerly sought. A cheery face a magnet to the lonely. The cast is a pot pourri from all the society holds -  anyone of us could be in their shoes had things turned out differently for us and them.

The many faces are growing in number as the rising number of rough sleepers is a manifest outcome of austerity. An increasing need when resources are diminishing – thank goodness for the generous.

Helping the homeless to vote

Helping the homeless to vote

Labour's parliamentary candidate for Southend West, Julian Ware-Lane, is backing a campaign to get homeless people and rough sleepers to register to vote.

Julian says “ I believe the voices of homeless people matter a lot. Since the Tories came to power in 2010, official numbers of rough sleepers have more than doubled to over 4,000 in England, with actual numbers possibly far higher than that. There are also 100s of 1000s of 'hidden' homeless – people living in B&Bs, squats or sofa-surfing with friends and relatives. Incredibly, and very sadly,  this includes well over 100,000 children!“

Labour have pledged to build 1 million new homes in the next five years, if elected, with at least half of them being council homes. They have also pledged to introduce rent controls and give more security to private renters.

“I fully support HARP and the tremendous effort that they have put into encouraging the homeless to vote. I know that voting may not be the top priority for someone sleeping rough but decisions made by government affect them as much as everyone else.”

Southend based charity for the homeless, HARP, are assisting homeless people to register to vote and providing the forms and help completing them at the Bradbury Centre, York Road. Forms are also available on-line at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voter-registration-forms-paper-versions

In response to a Facebook post regarding homelessness

I try not to engage in Facebook arguments. It is not, in my experience, a good medium for debate. There are far too many keyboard warriors out there, meanings can be misinterpreted, and all sorts of nonsense gets spouted. Sometimes, as well, it descends into an abusive exchange. Best to keep away from that, I think.

Recently a Milton resident posted the following comment on my wall:-

So I go shopping by foot to Hamlet Court Rd,and I DESPAIR...Everywhere are beggars,but drunk and making you feel vunerable as you walk by,the shop keepers have had enough trying to keep business going,one lady in the card shop said its got so bad again makes you feel unsafe.A guy in Tesco said he now lives in Hadleigh as its so bad,On route into my road,a guy.sitting on the floor by what used to be a family run newsagents was shooting up drugs in the top of his leg,and just said Sorry lady you saw that.As I continued walking in the road as pavements are so bad causing you to trip up,I just got in knowing I wont spend the rest of my days here,its awfull.Can our councillors please do something ..May I add ive all the sympathy for genuine homeless,but not so many who make me feel unsafe as I walk where ive lived for 39yrs..

I thought it would be useful to respond by putting my views on the topic of the homeless and those that beg here.

I have a duty for all who reside in Milton ward, whether housed or not, and regardless of how they  acquire the resources for life.  I represent all, voter or not, supporter or not. However, this does not mean that I approve of bad behaviour, criminality, and the spoiling of the environment.

All who are homeless or beg are in need of help. Even those who are 'professional' beggars need our help. This help will, naturally, take all manner of forms. In a nutshell, though, the issue boils down to a shortage of affordable accommodation.

We are where we are; I shall not go into the failure of government thus far in solving this issue. However, going forward we clearly need to build more social housing and more truly affordable homes. By affordable, I mean homes that are within the means of people on average incomes, and I also think the definition includes 'suitable'. Developer avarice has to be tackled, as does planning policy that hinders. I also think that government targets were a good thing, forcing local authorities to address the problem rather than pander to NIMBYs.

So, we have to help the homeless. We also have to tackle bad behaviour. Whatever the reason, and however unfortunate the perpetrator, no-one should be allowed to get away with intimidating people, or discarding their rubbish wherever they feel fit. Neither is general anti-social behaviour (like being noisy late at night) to be tolerated.

Beggars beg through need. However, Southend-on-Sea is blessed with a number of agencies that can help. There should be no need to beg. I would never advise people to give to those that beg, give to the charities that help the homeless instead. Beggars beg in certain location because they receive money - and thus the quickest way to get rid of them is to remove the reason they beg, thus the money supplied.

The homeless often have all sorts of issues that can make them quite aggressive at times. However, I have never felt in danger or threatened, and in reality the homeless are usually amongst the most vulnerable in our town.

Coincidentally I met, in one of our local parks, a homeless man who I was acquainted with whilst helping at a winter night shelter.  He was in a bad way, clearly troubled. Superficially I can see how he could come across badly, but he needs help.

In my humble opinion we need 'wet houses', places where those who are homeless and who have substance issues can go. The current help really only works in the long term for those who can control or avoid alcohol and drugs. I will write more on this particular topic at another time.

Finally, there is no such thing as the deserving, or underserving, poor. There are just the poor, all of whom need help.

Stint number four

Stint number four at the homeless shelter. Always something to look forward to, always something to lift the heart, always a humbling experience.

 

Ashleigh Condon, helper/receptionis, with James Duddridge, Member of Parliament

Julian Ware-Lane with borrowed cup, and Gerald/Chris the cap's owner

The many guests, each with a story. 'Gerald' (who turned out to be a Chris); fun and musical. TJ, the tall, polite, serious Dane. Patricia, a mother hen in search of a brood. Kenneth, cheeky and humble. The recently pregnant young lady; quiet and self-contained. And more.

The visiting Member of Parliament I am sure learnt something, if only that privilege often creates ignorance. Yet who can even begin to know what it means to be homelessness. It means being cold, hungry, vulnerable, bored, ignored, invisible.

Well done to John Barber for managing this centre, for all the helpers who give of themeslves, for everyone for tolerating me.