homeless man in wheelchair living outside harvester pub

[tigerranks]

Has anybody seen the poor man in a wheelchair living at the harvester pup who has a mattress under the cover part opp the vets on lordship lane

since the change of weather he has now put up a tarpoling sheet to keep out the cold

surely he should be entitled to some form of housing more so that he is disabled with a wheel chair

[Gaynor Hill]

Hi

Is he in the grounds of the pub as I will see if I can do anything for him.

Thanks

Gaynor

[dbboy]

Have you tried contacting St. Giles Trust in Camberwell or if not then St. Mungo's.

[Bic Basher]

Gaynor Hill Wrote:

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> Hi

> Is he in the grounds of the pub as I will see if I

> can do anything for him.

> Thanks

> Gaynor

He's in the sheltered bit on Lordship Lane by the Beer Garden.

[dimples]

He?s been there for weeks !

[Blah Blah]

Without knowing his story, there is no automatic right to housing for the homeless. And Southwark council have been busy selling off council homes and council property to corporate developers over replacing lost council homes.

I would try putting him in contact with one of the various homeless outreach programmes. Someone will then go and speak with him.

[KidKruger]

It's not about entitlement to housing or shelter, it's about availability. Expect a lot more of this in the coming many years.

[Sally Eva]

there's a lot more discussion including action by the councillor in this thread

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1855002

[Pugwash]

There are many people who are homeless but shun those who seek to help them. Many years ago through my work, I placed a medically unwell homeless man in a care home as it was winter and he was too weak to sleep out in the streets. I was working with a housing charity to find him more appropriate housing, when he left the care home and returned to the streets, preferring a life on the road. The charity had his details and kept an eye on him, but he refused all offers of accommodation.

[TE44]

Can homeless people who have problems drugs, alcohol etc are expected to somehow resolve there

issues in exchange for shelter. It is easy to see why

conditional housing does not often work for some people. Heres an interestin article of removing these conditions.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-us-canada-36092852.

Editrd to say signing the lease and paying the rent is a problem in itself of course.

[Sally Eva]

This article is about the US and Canada. It doesn't apply to the UK or to this gentleman.

In the UK homeless people have a right to housing if they have a priority need ie if they are old, sick or mentally ill. They don't have to promise to be a fit, well, sober or clean-living person. If this gentleman fulfills these criteria ie he is old, sick or mentally ill then Southwark should house him. Renata is looking in to this. If he fulfills these criteria and Southwark don't house him he should go to Citizens Advice.

But all this only works if he wants to be housed. As Pugwash said.

[Gaynor Hill]

Hi All

I went to see the gentleman gave him a duvet I had he's a very polite man had chat he's ok just need a frying pan so going to get one for him

Coming out of the parking were vets are someone stop my hubby's car smashed into it everyone ok except hubby's car typical me trying to help and that happens never mind that's life I suppose

Gaynor

[TE44]

Sally I was aware it was Canada, the reality of being given a council house in London immediately without going through the homeless temporaryj housing, if you should be so lucky, is extremely unlikely.Many hostels, rehabs have condituons which include no alcohol.drugs etc. I put up the link as it shows not only looking at the issue of homelessness but action that recognises a bigger picture and what seems ti me a more understanding way.

Gaynor sorry to hear about your hubbys car and glad no one was hurt, who knows maybe your caring was paid back to you. All the best and hope your insurance sorts it out quick.

[Gaynor Hill]

Yes Insurance will be ok but your right about homeless and help this man lost his legs through doing tour of duties

Some years ago I had a friend who was in a children's home she feared for her 16th birthday as you were thrown out then with no help my mother took her in but only room for her to sleep on sofa but did what we could sadly due to the abuse she suffered she committed suicide

I will never forget her fearing her 16th birthday being thrown out at least now they are not thrown out until they are 18 and get help

[TE44]

How sad Gaynor. Although I can understand why criterias may be needed, I feel it is usually charities or non govermental organisations who try to break that

systematic way of helping, which often cannot see the

complexity of peoples life, sticking to procedure may work fixing mechanics, but can be very disconnecting

on both sides when working with people.

[Sally Eva]

Hi TE44,

No one will be given a council or housing association house without going through the homelessness system. That is the system. Council run hostels which are part of the homelessness system do not demand rehab, psychiatric treatment etc.

The system is hard, housing is in extremely short supply. Don't give people the idea that there are more obstacles than actually exist or those who could qualify will not apply.

Many homeless people do not like the over-night charitable hostels because they are full of mentally ill drunks. This gentleman does not sound mentally ill or drunk and that might be why he does not use them. He may not be vulnerable enough to qualify for council assistance or he may prefer a life under the stars.

[TE44]

Hi Sally i am confused by your post. The earlier link you posted says this man has already been through the system and struggled to keep conditions of stay. Are you saying if for whatever reason you are not given help after going through the system, you can go to a charitable hostel but it will be "full of drunks and mentally ill", where there is no conditions of stay. Are you also saying Southark Council does not use any organisations on referal outside of council run,

St Mungos handed a petion to goverment on the 10th October calling for a review to homeless policies. One, its policy to cap housing benefit for supported housing tenants at local housing rate. Here is a link.

https://www.mungos.org/get-involved/campaign-for-change/save-hostels-rebuild-lives/

[Sally Eva]

Hi TE44,

I don't think I posted a link. I know nothing about this man personally so I am not commenting on his situation.

I am saying that homeless people who apply for council homelessness assistance are considered on their "priority need" which is their vulnerability. Their alcoholism or mental illness are factors which make them more likely to be deemed to have a priority need, not less likely.

People who are refused council assistance may be referred to charitable hostels and may not want or be able to go for various reasons -- one of which that they are not eligible for Housing Benefit or the often frightening conditions in these hostels (as people have described to me).

The council takes wrong decisions on vulnerability. If you know someone turned away by the council whom you think should have been assisted then send them to Citizens Advice. St Mungos is a great organisation which does wonderful work. Anything they say will be important and correct.

[TE44]

Sally Eva Wrote:

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> there's a lot more discussion including action by

> the councillor in this thread

>

> http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5

> ,1855002

[TE44]

Sorry Sally pressed post by mistake. There is a huge crisis in social housing especially in London, this is

getting worse. Citizens advice is inundated with people

in fear of being evicted, many due to changes in benefits, universal credit being another policy adding to this.

[TE44]

Loesn't work where I've quoted your post sally but link on your original post futher back on this thread works.

[eddeal1]

not one person has said i have room in my house i will take this human in.and try to help him.

[tomdhu]

eddeal1 Wrote:

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> not one person has said i have room in my house i

> will take this human in.and try to help him.

Have you made the offer?

[Loz]

tomdhu Wrote:

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> eddeal1 Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > not one person has said i have room in my house i

> > will take this human in.and try to help him.

>

> Have you made the offer?

He/She is far too busy selling their 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4 16v Sprint.

[Sally Eva]

sorry I meant to send a private msge