How would you fix the Homeless crisis.?

[cbrdave]

I'd start with letting a load onto that floating hotel, give them priority over illegals, an army barracks was used to house a load near me and they set light to it claiming not good enough, it was certainly good enough for the army, we have ex military who are homeless and would go back to barracks in a beat.
Halve foreign payments and use what's saved to enable better services for mental health, homeless, NHS, drug rehab and counciling, domestic abuse charities and pretty much make sure priority is given to uk citizens.

 

[Woody girl]

It was quite amazing how we got the majority of homeless off the streets during the covid emergency,(proving it can be done) but then they were thrown out on their ears once it was "all over," and considered SAFE to send them back out onto the streets.
Hmmmm.
Says all it needs to say to my mind.

 

[Falstaff]

I feel for Woody Girl, and others, the insecurity of rental/housing is always a background fear. I lived with it for years even despite now owning my own home. Despite Council and Housing Associations being the most secure form of rental they are still not certain. As Woody Girl describes, the HA's are under constant pressure for housing. They can pressure or use rules to move single folk out of larger properties and stick them into a tiny flat in a strange and often unsalubrious area. Some of the HA's and their staff are callous and bad landlords, only a few have been exposed in the press lately.

I felt particularly bad being obliged to give notice and recover my own house. My and their expectation, had been for it to be their permanent home, but life took an unexpected turn.
I've also noticed how migrants are taking over Big Issue selling. I have spoken to several who are not trying and do not seem to want, to improve their lot, even after several years. One genuine problem for political refugees, is that their refugee status does not allow them to work in the UK. Why I don't know, but it clearly says this on their permits (I've seen some).

 

[Wildgoose]

Correct.
A lot of migrants aren’t permitted to work, many aren’t permitted “recourse to public funds” including healthcare, benefits etc.
it can seem like they have it all handed to them on a platter, but I can assure you it’s not the case.

I have an immigration hotel 100m from me, it used to be a holiday inn but was closed to be used as a Covid back up then turned over to immigration. I see the residents walking to the shop in their custody style track suits and plimsolls, I don’t think it’s a great life for them to be honest.

 

[Chris]

Correct.
A lot of migrants aren’t permitted to work, many aren’t permitted “recourse to public funds” including healthcare, benefits etc.
it can seem like they have it all handed to them on a platter, but I can assure you it’s not the case.

I have an immigration hotel 100m from me, it used to be a holiday inn but was closed to be used as a Covid back up then turned over to immigration. I see the residents walking to the shop in their custody style track suits and plimsolls, I don’t think it’s a great life for them to be honest.

I have spent thousands and thousands of pounds on getting my American wife the necessary visas to continue living here. For the first 5.5 years (realistically it'll be 6 years by the time Indefinite Leave to Remain is granted) she is here she has no recourse to public funds at all, so the idea that people just come over and have benefits handed to them is outrageous. We also had to pay thousands in NHS surcharge, even though she and I pay national insurance.

Frustrates me when people just refer to 'migrants' as one homogenous group, and then go on to deride them as a problem. It's not people like her causing a housing shortage or removing spaces available to homeless people.

 

[Wildgoose]

I feel for you mate.

Whilst we all have our views on the NHS when you see the costs that would be incurred without full access it makes your eyes water.

 

[Falstaff]

I agree, there is another Hotel the other side of town to me, taken on by the Council. Was used for Afganistan refugees, then Covid, and I think, back to immigrants/Ukranians. Security on the gate, Jo Public not let in, not sure about how they get out. The kids play in the car park but the adults can only sit about. Rehousing into the community is happening slowly, but not much of a life.

 

[Tengu]

I dont think folk should be penalised if they want to pay into our tax system.

(Lady moved in Next door, she is Polish, new here, but working and buying a property that though nice, wouldnt shift for months due to shared drive.)