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| One night on the street witnessing Britain's homeless crisis – live | One night on the street witnessing Britain's homeless crisis – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 11.19pm GMT | |
| 23:19 | |
| Josh Halliday | |
| We make a den here every night. Can you feel it, feel how warm it is? | |
| 10.58pm GMT | |
| 22:58 | |
| In praise of heroes of the night | |
| Mark Rice-Oxley | |
| Let’s take a quick moment to salute the heroes of the night, all the charities, volunteers, helpers and recovered homeless who give of their time to make a dismal situation not quite so dismal. | |
| First stop, Birmingham, and the Choir With No Name again. Here, Josh Halliday speaks to Sally Debiage, who runs the show | |
| They can come with a sad face and leave with a happy face. It’s pretty much guaranteed. | |
| A hundred miles south, Steve Morris has been speaking to Jess Martin, a volunteer on the Bristol Soup Trust run. | |
| Then there are charities like Nightstop which works with homeless people aged 16-25, placing the bereft with hosts who have spare space in their houses and flats. | |
| Mohammed, 23, a refugee from Sudan, has been staying with husband and wife Mark and Kate and their lodger Rachel at their home in the Horfield area of Bristol. He does not have a key. One of them has to be there to welcome him in. They feed him and he sleeps in their simple, warm spare room. | |
| Mohammed does not go into detail about why he left Sudan. “There is war in my country,” is his simple explanation. “This is the best country in the world for human rights.” He was a mechanic in Sudan and now plans to study English at college and get a job in a similar field. And he wants security. “I want a nice life, I want to feel safe.” | |
| Nightstop’s motto is: “A community response to a community problem.” Mohammed arrives at Mark and Kate’s house and is chivied into taking his coat off and making himself at home. | |
| Mark said: | |
| You do it because it needs doing. The need is there, we have a spare room so why not?” | |
| It isn’t always easy. | |
| You don’t get many compliments in this job,” laughs Liz Hancock, manager of the Harrogate Homeless Project. “But everything it throws at you, you have to handle with good will and humour, even when it’s really, really sad.” | |
| In the decade that has passed since Hancock swapped her corporate job (and salary) to work for Harrogate Homeless project, she had noticed the homeless population getting younger. | |
| There’s a lot of youth homelessness, people in their early twenties who have left because of bad family circumstances and have been sofa surfing. And the drugs are changing too, before the main problems were heroin and alcohol. Legal highs are bigger problem now.” | |
| There’s always people who really get under your skin who you worry about, you hope they’re doing well, you root for them because you know they really want to turn it around. This job is never just about finding people housing. They may have health problems, emotional issues, addiction, family and relationship breakdown. Housing is just one part of it.” | |
| When people complain that Britain is broken, and that everything is rubbish, remember people like these, and others mentioned earlier in the blog. Let’s join them, and make a difference. | |
| Updated | |
| at 11.23pm GMT | |
| 10.57pm GMT | |
| 22:57 | |
| Steven Morris | |
| Another woman who became homeless after problems with her partner is Hannah. She was the grateful recipient of a plastic cup of vegetable soup and some sandwiches from the good people of the Bristol Soup Trust at Redcliffe bridge. Late as it was, she still did not know where she was going to sleep. The shelter she usually uses closes on a Thursday night so her options were limited. | |
| “I feel let down,” she said. “There are so many empty buildings in this city. Why can’t they open them up so that everyone can get a bed. There should be a place for everyone to stay.” | |
| Yes, indeed Hannah. As we’ve been saying, there are more than 600,000 empty buildings in England alone. | |
| Hannah had a hug with Patrick, 67, a veteran of the homelessness scene in Bristol – and a poet. He has seen huge changes since he became homeless on 14 February 2003. | |
| There was a time when I knew 80% of the people on the streets. Now I probably only know 10%. The scene has changed – there are more people from Eastern Europe, more refugees. | |
| Patrick has a roof over his head for the moment – a place in north Somerset but is still so impoverished he comes into the city for food and drink. | |
| Bristol is popular with homeless people because they can get plenty to eat and drink. I once worked out there were 70 places where you could get free food in the city. | |
| 10.41pm GMT | 10.41pm GMT |
| 22:41 | 22:41 |
| Tonight we met... Terry Stott | Tonight we met... Terry Stott |
| Jessica Elgot | Jessica Elgot |
| “Some people call me the intellectual,” laughed Terry Stott, as he finished his evening meal at the Harrogate Springboard centre at the Wesley chapel. The 56-year-old recently spent his first night at the theatre, watching a play at the Harrogate Theatre about homelessness called Parallel, having met the cast before opening night. | “Some people call me the intellectual,” laughed Terry Stott, as he finished his evening meal at the Harrogate Springboard centre at the Wesley chapel. The 56-year-old recently spent his first night at the theatre, watching a play at the Harrogate Theatre about homelessness called Parallel, having met the cast before opening night. |
| I write poetry, I read so many books, I write songs, I go to Knaresborough to play guitar in the studio when I can. I want to learn about theatre, art, poetry and culture. I want to know about the renaissance. But, to be honest, at the moment, my circumstances are really dire. | I write poetry, I read so many books, I write songs, I go to Knaresborough to play guitar in the studio when I can. I want to learn about theatre, art, poetry and culture. I want to know about the renaissance. But, to be honest, at the moment, my circumstances are really dire. |
| Stott came out of prison six weeks ago. | Stott came out of prison six weeks ago. |
| I served three years after a five year sentence,” he said. “I was doing methadone, heroin, crack cocaine, you name it. I was eight stone and nearly dead. I’ve spent 30 years of my life in prison. But this time I got fit and strong, and I was clean and fresh. I wanted to start again. And then you come out, and I spent my first two nights in the emergency shelter, with people who are falling about drunk. And it was sheer hell. | I served three years after a five year sentence,” he said. “I was doing methadone, heroin, crack cocaine, you name it. I was eight stone and nearly dead. I’ve spent 30 years of my life in prison. But this time I got fit and strong, and I was clean and fresh. I wanted to start again. And then you come out, and I spent my first two nights in the emergency shelter, with people who are falling about drunk. And it was sheer hell. |
| Stott has come for hot food before setting out to sleep on the streets. | Stott has come for hot food before setting out to sleep on the streets. |
| I could stay with friends but they will be using. I really, really don’t want to be around them but it’s hard. This is the reality though. | I could stay with friends but they will be using. I really, really don’t want to be around them but it’s hard. This is the reality though. |
| The town has changed in the years Stott has been spending on the street. | The town has changed in the years Stott has been spending on the street. |
| There’s so many more people. It’s like the programmes about the Night of the Living Dead. If you’re looking, you’ll see the same people, 20 or 30, just walking around like zombies, walking because there’s nowhere to go. It could be homelessness, it could be drugs, it could be depression. I suffer from anxiety myself. And it’s so sad because this is a beautiful town, with the gardens and the architecture and the tea rooms. Why doesn’t society care? I would love there to just be some recognition. | There’s so many more people. It’s like the programmes about the Night of the Living Dead. If you’re looking, you’ll see the same people, 20 or 30, just walking around like zombies, walking because there’s nowhere to go. It could be homelessness, it could be drugs, it could be depression. I suffer from anxiety myself. And it’s so sad because this is a beautiful town, with the gardens and the architecture and the tea rooms. Why doesn’t society care? I would love there to just be some recognition. |
| 10.39pm GMT | 10.39pm GMT |
| 22:39 | 22:39 |
| Kate Lyons | Kate Lyons |
| Homelessness and rough sleeping are principally male preserves, but growing numbers of women are being affected. | Homelessness and rough sleeping are principally male preserves, but growing numbers of women are being affected. |
| Katharine Sacks-Jones, director of the Agenda alliance for women and girls at risk Director, wrote to us: | Katharine Sacks-Jones, director of the Agenda alliance for women and girls at risk Director, wrote to us: |
| One thing that’s often missed in the conversation about homelessness and rough sleeping is women’s homelessness, and its links with childhood and adulthood abuse. Research by Agenda shows that one in five women who have experienced extensive physical and sexual violence as both a child and an adult have been homeless at some point in their lives. | One thing that’s often missed in the conversation about homelessness and rough sleeping is women’s homelessness, and its links with childhood and adulthood abuse. Research by Agenda shows that one in five women who have experienced extensive physical and sexual violence as both a child and an adult have been homeless at some point in their lives. |
| For these women, mixed-gender hostels or day centres can be hugely intimidating and sometimes unsafe. Women who rough sleep are more likely to hide themselves away or stay on the move, on busses for example, because of concerns for their safety. Many get involved in prostitution, or enter into violent and unwanted sexual relationships simply to get a roof over their heads. | For these women, mixed-gender hostels or day centres can be hugely intimidating and sometimes unsafe. Women who rough sleep are more likely to hide themselves away or stay on the move, on busses for example, because of concerns for their safety. Many get involved in prostitution, or enter into violent and unwanted sexual relationships simply to get a roof over their heads. |
| At the St Mungo’s homeless project in west London, one homeless woman, Anna, proudly opens the doors of the oven to show parsnips, carrots, potatoes and “something for vegetarians” roasting. Two chickens are resting on the counter, though one St Mungo’s staff comes running out later to ask where the third bird is. | At the St Mungo’s homeless project in west London, one homeless woman, Anna, proudly opens the doors of the oven to show parsnips, carrots, potatoes and “something for vegetarians” roasting. Two chickens are resting on the counter, though one St Mungo’s staff comes running out later to ask where the third bird is. |
| “It flew out the window!” says Anna, laughing. It turns up in a cupboard later, though even after it reappears staff are still unsure how or why it ended up there.Anna came to London in 2003 to learn English. The Ethiopian-Italian became pregnant and had a daughter, whom she raised as a single mother for nine years. She got involved in crime and was sent to prison. | “It flew out the window!” says Anna, laughing. It turns up in a cupboard later, though even after it reappears staff are still unsure how or why it ended up there.Anna came to London in 2003 to learn English. The Ethiopian-Italian became pregnant and had a daughter, whom she raised as a single mother for nine years. She got involved in crime and was sent to prison. |
| While I was in prison I lost my house, my daughter went into foster care. I’ve been homeless for two years.” | While I was in prison I lost my house, my daughter went into foster care. I’ve been homeless for two years.” |
| Anna considers herself lucky. She has never slept rough. The day she was released from prison and tried to get in contact with her daughter, a social worker told her that due to her homelessness her daughter couldn’t be released to her custody. | Anna considers herself lucky. She has never slept rough. The day she was released from prison and tried to get in contact with her daughter, a social worker told her that due to her homelessness her daughter couldn’t be released to her custody. |
| So I said, OK you’ve got to help, tell me what to do. | So I said, OK you’ve got to help, tell me what to do. |
| The social worker put her in touch with St Mungo’s and she has lived in their accommodation. The St Mungo’s accommodation has 27 rooms, 26 of which are currently occupied by medium to long-term clients, men and women. The youngest current resident is 24, the oldest is 57 and residents can stay for up to four years. | The social worker put her in touch with St Mungo’s and she has lived in their accommodation. The St Mungo’s accommodation has 27 rooms, 26 of which are currently occupied by medium to long-term clients, men and women. The youngest current resident is 24, the oldest is 57 and residents can stay for up to four years. |
| The shelter is specifically designed for those with complex needs, mostly substance abuse, but it also caters to people with mental health issues and criminal histories.Since she’s been out of prison and homeless, Anna is deemed unfit to have custody of her daughter who is now 11 and in foster care. Anna is allowed to see her daughter four times a year. | The shelter is specifically designed for those with complex needs, mostly substance abuse, but it also caters to people with mental health issues and criminal histories.Since she’s been out of prison and homeless, Anna is deemed unfit to have custody of her daughter who is now 11 and in foster care. Anna is allowed to see her daughter four times a year. |
| She’s big now. I was a single mother for eight years, but now I’m homeless, I don’t have a flat, I’m not a good mum, in the eyes of the social worker. I’m fighting every day with the social worker, she’s the reason I can’t see her.” | She’s big now. I was a single mother for eight years, but now I’m homeless, I don’t have a flat, I’m not a good mum, in the eyes of the social worker. I’m fighting every day with the social worker, she’s the reason I can’t see her.” |
| Anna spends every day volunteering to help others around the shelter, cooking meals - like the roast chicken - and applying for jobs. Anna says she would take “a job, any job - to look after disabled people, old people, mad people, painting and decorating, cooking, cleaning” - but because of her criminal record, finding work is difficult. | Anna spends every day volunteering to help others around the shelter, cooking meals - like the roast chicken - and applying for jobs. Anna says she would take “a job, any job - to look after disabled people, old people, mad people, painting and decorating, cooking, cleaning” - but because of her criminal record, finding work is difficult. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.39pm GMT | at 10.39pm GMT |
| 10.34pm GMT | 10.34pm GMT |
| 22:34 | 22:34 |
| Caroline Bannock | Caroline Bannock |
| We’ve been hearing from readers who’ve been sharing their stories about supporting homeless people. | We’ve been hearing from readers who’ve been sharing their stories about supporting homeless people. |
| Fran Hughes has told us there just aren’t enough shelters for young homeless people she works with in Bristol: | Fran Hughes has told us there just aren’t enough shelters for young homeless people she works with in Bristol: |
| One of the toughest parts of my work with young homeless people is spending a day or often several days desperately trying to help them find a bed somewhere, anywhere that is relatively safe and warm and away from the harsh winter weather and then having to give them a sleeping bag and personal safety advice in the knowledge they will be sleeping rough. There are not enough beds let alone warm comfortable homes for those that find themselves on the street. | One of the toughest parts of my work with young homeless people is spending a day or often several days desperately trying to help them find a bed somewhere, anywhere that is relatively safe and warm and away from the harsh winter weather and then having to give them a sleeping bag and personal safety advice in the knowledge they will be sleeping rough. There are not enough beds let alone warm comfortable homes for those that find themselves on the street. |
| For the last three years Mark Bryant and his wife have been involved with Nightstop, a scheme in the north east that provides young homeless people with an emergency bed for the night. | For the last three years Mark Bryant and his wife have been involved with Nightstop, a scheme in the north east that provides young homeless people with an emergency bed for the night. |
| What I love about it, is that it is so simple. We simply offer a bed and a meal. I know it is only temporary but it buys time for somebody. In the NE Nightstop is run by DePaul and they are amazing in the way they work to find permanent accommodation for people. Inevitably I think that we are the main beneficiaries as we meet people who we would otherwise never meet and that enriches our lives.” Read more ... | What I love about it, is that it is so simple. We simply offer a bed and a meal. I know it is only temporary but it buys time for somebody. In the NE Nightstop is run by DePaul and they are amazing in the way they work to find permanent accommodation for people. Inevitably I think that we are the main beneficiaries as we meet people who we would otherwise never meet and that enriches our lives.” Read more ... |
| The director of the Simon Community, Jamie Nalton has got in touch. The charity has been working with London’s street homeless for more than 50 years. This is what he has to say about current situation: | The director of the Simon Community, Jamie Nalton has got in touch. The charity has been working with London’s street homeless for more than 50 years. This is what he has to say about current situation: |
| The numbers we are supporting on the streets is steadily increasing month to month. It’s also worth noting that over 20 London boroughs have Church shelters running through the cold months, many people using this service will return to the streets once the season is over.” Read more ... | The numbers we are supporting on the streets is steadily increasing month to month. It’s also worth noting that over 20 London boroughs have Church shelters running through the cold months, many people using this service will return to the streets once the season is over.” Read more ... |
| You can share your experiences by clicking on the ‘Contribute’ button on this article. | You can share your experiences by clicking on the ‘Contribute’ button on this article. |
| 10.18pm GMT | 10.18pm GMT |
| 22:18 | 22:18 |
| Tonight we met... Stephen | Tonight we met... Stephen |
| Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff | Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff |
| Stephen is another ex-army man in precarious circumstances. He has been sleeping rough in Balerno, just outside Edinburgh, for some weeks. He describes an almost picturesque scene — his spot in a wooded forest, a secluded area underneath evergreen foliage where he sets up his £3 windbreaker each night. | Stephen is another ex-army man in precarious circumstances. He has been sleeping rough in Balerno, just outside Edinburgh, for some weeks. He describes an almost picturesque scene — his spot in a wooded forest, a secluded area underneath evergreen foliage where he sets up his £3 windbreaker each night. |
| It’s nice, it’s quiet, it’s a way out of everywhere,” he says, explaining why he often chooses to sleep rough. “It’s a hidey-hole off a path. But the other night I lost my bus-pass so I can’t get out there at the moment.” | It’s nice, it’s quiet, it’s a way out of everywhere,” he says, explaining why he often chooses to sleep rough. “It’s a hidey-hole off a path. But the other night I lost my bus-pass so I can’t get out there at the moment.” |
| Stephen is another user of Streetwork’s storage facilities, and has been registered as homeless to Edinburgh Council since 2012 when his wife kicked him out of their home in Devon. He was in the army for 18 years until he was medically discharged due to his mental health issues, including self harm and alcohol abuse. | Stephen is another user of Streetwork’s storage facilities, and has been registered as homeless to Edinburgh Council since 2012 when his wife kicked him out of their home in Devon. He was in the army for 18 years until he was medically discharged due to his mental health issues, including self harm and alcohol abuse. |
| My wife hasn’t spoken to me since we split up,” he says. “My behaviour, my drinking, it became worse. I became argumentative, abusive - not physically but certainly verbally - and she just, quite rightly, had enough. She went to the police and got me physically removed.” | My wife hasn’t spoken to me since we split up,” he says. “My behaviour, my drinking, it became worse. I became argumentative, abusive - not physically but certainly verbally - and she just, quite rightly, had enough. She went to the police and got me physically removed.” |
| Stephen visits Streetwork and his community psychiatric nurse often, and is eloquent, polite, smiley even. It’s hard to imagine him being abusive to anyone. But his difficulties reared their head when he was put into permanent accommodation just under a year ago. Sadly, it didn’t work out. | Stephen visits Streetwork and his community psychiatric nurse often, and is eloquent, polite, smiley even. It’s hard to imagine him being abusive to anyone. But his difficulties reared their head when he was put into permanent accommodation just under a year ago. Sadly, it didn’t work out. |
| I got my own flat on June the 27th last year until November. I couldn’t cope. The only person I spoke to on a regular basis was the guy at the corner shop who sold me my little bottles of vodka,” he says. | I got my own flat on June the 27th last year until November. I couldn’t cope. The only person I spoke to on a regular basis was the guy at the corner shop who sold me my little bottles of vodka,” he says. |
| Stephen prefers his life on the streets in many ways. | Stephen prefers his life on the streets in many ways. |
| On the streets I’m still quite lonely but there’s always someone to talk to,” he says. | On the streets I’m still quite lonely but there’s always someone to talk to,” he says. |
| He spends a lot of time at local libraries. He recommends the final book in the Disc-world series by Terry Prachett. | He spends a lot of time at local libraries. He recommends the final book in the Disc-world series by Terry Prachett. |
| He is one of the many people Streetwork identifies as needing some sort of supported accommodation, rather than being dumped in isolated flats on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Sadly, there’s not much of it on offer in the heavily owner-occupied city, which is clearly struggling to look after its homeless citizens. | He is one of the many people Streetwork identifies as needing some sort of supported accommodation, rather than being dumped in isolated flats on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Sadly, there’s not much of it on offer in the heavily owner-occupied city, which is clearly struggling to look after its homeless citizens. |
| 10.05pm GMT | 10.05pm GMT |
| 22:05 | 22:05 |
| Mark Rice-Oxley | Mark Rice-Oxley |
| Of course, rough sleepers are just the tip of the iceberg. Thousands more find themselves one step away from the streets, still homeless but nudged around by authorities from pillar to temporary post. | Of course, rough sleepers are just the tip of the iceberg. Thousands more find themselves one step away from the streets, still homeless but nudged around by authorities from pillar to temporary post. |
| For many of it may be hard to imagine how this happens. But we’re probably all of us just two or maybe three really bad strokes of luck away from destitution. | For many of it may be hard to imagine how this happens. But we’re probably all of us just two or maybe three really bad strokes of luck away from destitution. |
| Former soldier David Watts told me his story, which again emphasises that homelessness can be as much about bureaucratic bungling, bewildering benefits and bad timing as about anything self-inflicted. | Former soldier David Watts told me his story, which again emphasises that homelessness can be as much about bureaucratic bungling, bewildering benefits and bad timing as about anything self-inflicted. |
| In December 2015 my contract came to an end and I decided to become self employed. I am a qualified sports therapist studying to obtain my personal trainer qualification. I set up my own business in January. | In December 2015 my contract came to an end and I decided to become self employed. I am a qualified sports therapist studying to obtain my personal trainer qualification. I set up my own business in January. |
| On 4th January 2016 I attended the Margate Gateway Services Centre to ask for help in paying my rent. I was told I couldn’t apply for housing benefit and had to apply for universal credit on line. | On 4th January 2016 I attended the Margate Gateway Services Centre to ask for help in paying my rent. I was told I couldn’t apply for housing benefit and had to apply for universal credit on line. |
| I applied on line and was informed that I would be contacted to attend an appointment. | I applied on line and was informed that I would be contacted to attend an appointment. |
| I hadn’t heard anything from for a week so I phoned the help line to which the recorded message tells you if this is a new claim it will take 5 weeks to be processed. | I hadn’t heard anything from for a week so I phoned the help line to which the recorded message tells you if this is a new claim it will take 5 weeks to be processed. |
| Watts had heard nothing by the end of January, so he spent 2 hours trying to get someone on the phone only to be told there had been an error with his application. He needed to start again. | Watts had heard nothing by the end of January, so he spent 2 hours trying to get someone on the phone only to be told there had been an error with his application. He needed to start again. |
| I phoned them again the following day and eventually spoke to someone and made the application over the phone. Halfway through the application he informed me that as a student and as a self employed person I was not eligible to claim universal credits and had to claim JSA (job seeker’s allowance) and this had to be made online. | I phoned them again the following day and eventually spoke to someone and made the application over the phone. Halfway through the application he informed me that as a student and as a self employed person I was not eligible to claim universal credits and had to claim JSA (job seeker’s allowance) and this had to be made online. |
| I went online to make the application for JSA and on answering the qualifying questions I was informed I was not eligible to claim JSA and that I had to claim Universal credits. | I went online to make the application for JSA and on answering the qualifying questions I was informed I was not eligible to claim JSA and that I had to claim Universal credits. |
| I phoned Job Centre Plus and made an appointment to speak to someone about what I could and couldn’t claim. | I phoned Job Centre Plus and made an appointment to speak to someone about what I could and couldn’t claim. |
| I attended the appointment the following week only to be told that because I earned more than £102 a week I wasn’t eligible for income related JSA and that as I was self employed I wasn’t eligible for Universal Credit and that I needed to attend the Gateway Service Centre in Margate to make a claim for housing benefit. | I attended the appointment the following week only to be told that because I earned more than £102 a week I wasn’t eligible for income related JSA and that as I was self employed I wasn’t eligible for Universal Credit and that I needed to attend the Gateway Service Centre in Margate to make a claim for housing benefit. |
| After two months of Kafkaesque toing and froing, Watts was back where he started. Only by now he was nine weeks in arrears. | After two months of Kafkaesque toing and froing, Watts was back where he started. Only by now he was nine weeks in arrears. |
| My landlord had been understanding but now I’ve been told it will take up to two more weeks for the claim to be processed - and there is no guarantee it will be backdated. By then I will be 11 weeks in arrears. | My landlord had been understanding but now I’ve been told it will take up to two more weeks for the claim to be processed - and there is no guarantee it will be backdated. By then I will be 11 weeks in arrears. |
| I informed the housing office that I am already 9 weeks behind and now facing the real possibility of being evicted in two weeks due to non payment of rent. I was told if I was made homeless, as a fit healthy male I am not a priority and that if I were made homeless I would just have to deal with it as there was no help available to me. Council housing teams no longer deem homelessness for males who are fit and healthy and able to work as a vulnerability. | I informed the housing office that I am already 9 weeks behind and now facing the real possibility of being evicted in two weeks due to non payment of rent. I was told if I was made homeless, as a fit healthy male I am not a priority and that if I were made homeless I would just have to deal with it as there was no help available to me. Council housing teams no longer deem homelessness for males who are fit and healthy and able to work as a vulnerability. |
| So... having joined the army at the age of 16 and 9 months, served 8 years for my country, having worked every day of my life and paid taxes and contributed to the economy, having decided to build my own business and help others get fit to return to employment, I asked for help as I was starting out and needed to pay my rent... only to be given the wrong information action resulting in at present 9 weeks rent arrears, facing the prospect of homelessness and being told by the local council (due to government legislation) basically.... tough, you will just have to deal with it. | So... having joined the army at the age of 16 and 9 months, served 8 years for my country, having worked every day of my life and paid taxes and contributed to the economy, having decided to build my own business and help others get fit to return to employment, I asked for help as I was starting out and needed to pay my rent... only to be given the wrong information action resulting in at present 9 weeks rent arrears, facing the prospect of homelessness and being told by the local council (due to government legislation) basically.... tough, you will just have to deal with it. |
| Watts is by no means the old army veteran we have been in touch with today... | Watts is by no means the old army veteran we have been in touch with today... |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.12pm GMT | at 10.12pm GMT |
| 9.45pm GMT | 9.45pm GMT |
| 21:45 | 21:45 |
| Tonight we met... Bill West and Lee Foxall | Tonight we met... Bill West and Lee Foxall |
| Josh Halliday | Josh Halliday |
| I’ve been speaking to Bill West, 57, and Lee Foxall, 48, both living in hostels after finding themselves on the streets in recent years. Both men had long careers looking after others - Bill as a operating theatre technician in the NHS and Lee as a support worker - until they suffered devastating breakdowns following family bereavements. | I’ve been speaking to Bill West, 57, and Lee Foxall, 48, both living in hostels after finding themselves on the streets in recent years. Both men had long careers looking after others - Bill as a operating theatre technician in the NHS and Lee as a support worker - until they suffered devastating breakdowns following family bereavements. |
| They’re bristle at media portrayals of homelessness - drug-addled, drink-addicted beggars, they say - and add that they are proof that anyone can become destitute. | They’re bristle at media portrayals of homelessness - drug-addled, drink-addicted beggars, they say - and add that they are proof that anyone can become destitute. |
| West says: | West says: |
| We get people with autism, strokes, their parents or partners died, peopel who’ve had learning dififculties, so it’s not like what TV says, pretending it’s all drink and drugs. It’s not like that. | We get people with autism, strokes, their parents or partners died, peopel who’ve had learning dififculties, so it’s not like what TV says, pretending it’s all drink and drugs. It’s not like that. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.49pm GMT | at 9.49pm GMT |
| 9.42pm GMT | 9.42pm GMT |
| 21:42 | 21:42 |
| Mark Rice-Oxley | Mark Rice-Oxley |
| Given the level of anger and accusation below the line, it is only fair to invite the government to respond to allegations that austerity and indifference lie behind this latest crisis. | Given the level of anger and accusation below the line, it is only fair to invite the government to respond to allegations that austerity and indifference lie behind this latest crisis. |
| Marcus Jones is the homelessness minister. He said: | Marcus Jones is the homelessness minister. He said: |
| People who find themselves homeless are some of the most vulnerable in our society and it is essential that they get the support they need. | People who find themselves homeless are some of the most vulnerable in our society and it is essential that they get the support they need. |
| During the last Parliament invested over £500 million to prevent households becoming homeless and we made significant progress so rough sleepers can get back on their feet. | During the last Parliament invested over £500 million to prevent households becoming homeless and we made significant progress so rough sleepers can get back on their feet. |
| However we remain clear that one person without a home is one too many, which why we have increased central funding for homelessness programmes and protected the homelessness prevention fund that goes to Local Authorities. | However we remain clear that one person without a home is one too many, which why we have increased central funding for homelessness programmes and protected the homelessness prevention fund that goes to Local Authorities. |
| Homelessness is more than just a housing issue. Factors such as relationship breakdown, mental health, addictions and employment can all play a part. So we are working across government to consider how to improve services as well as developing a £5 million social impact bond to help the most entrenched rough sleepers move off the streets. | Homelessness is more than just a housing issue. Factors such as relationship breakdown, mental health, addictions and employment can all play a part. So we are working across government to consider how to improve services as well as developing a £5 million social impact bond to help the most entrenched rough sleepers move off the streets. |
| I have seen for myself the fantastic work that outreach teams do to support people off the streets and into independence and rough sleeping projects like No Second Night Out help to ensure that more rough sleepers are found and helped quickly. | I have seen for myself the fantastic work that outreach teams do to support people off the streets and into independence and rough sleeping projects like No Second Night Out help to ensure that more rough sleepers are found and helped quickly. |
| If you see anyone sleeping rough, I’d urge you to use the free StreetLink app and website to make sure they get the warmth and support they need.” | If you see anyone sleeping rough, I’d urge you to use the free StreetLink app and website to make sure they get the warmth and support they need.” |
| Alas, we were not able to follow up and ask why the money has made such little apparent difference. Perhaps parliament will get some answers when the Communities and Local Government Committee considers homelessness at a hearing on Monday. | Alas, we were not able to follow up and ask why the money has made such little apparent difference. Perhaps parliament will get some answers when the Communities and Local Government Committee considers homelessness at a hearing on Monday. |
| 9.31pm GMT | 9.31pm GMT |
| 21:31 | 21:31 |
| Amelia Gentleman | Amelia Gentleman |
| Just as worrying: refuse collection companies are reporting a rise in the number of people sleeping in bins. | Just as worrying: refuse collection companies are reporting a rise in the number of people sleeping in bins. |
| The waste management firm Biffa provides a clear insight into the growing problem. Its staff discovered 31 people sleeping in bins in 2014. This rose to 93 in 2015 and then for the current financial year the figure has risen even further – to 175. | The waste management firm Biffa provides a clear insight into the growing problem. Its staff discovered 31 people sleeping in bins in 2014. This rose to 93 in 2015 and then for the current financial year the figure has risen even further – to 175. |
| Industrial waste bins are clearly incredibly dangerous place to sleep. Across the UK, eleven people have been killed in the past five years because of sleeping in bins, according to the company. | Industrial waste bins are clearly incredibly dangerous place to sleep. Across the UK, eleven people have been killed in the past five years because of sleeping in bins, according to the company. |
| Tim Standring, Biffa’s health and safety spokesman, says: | Tim Standring, Biffa’s health and safety spokesman, says: |
| “The more homeless people we get, the more people need to find shelter in waste containers. It is a growing problem for the UK not just our company.” Staff check every bin now before emptying it into their disposal vans. | “The more homeless people we get, the more people need to find shelter in waste containers. It is a growing problem for the UK not just our company.” Staff check every bin now before emptying it into their disposal vans. |
| Another waste management company, Veolia, has been working with homelessness charities to try to educate people about the potentially fatal consequences of sleeping in dustbins. | Another waste management company, Veolia, has been working with homelessness charities to try to educate people about the potentially fatal consequences of sleeping in dustbins. |
| 9.26pm GMT | 9.26pm GMT |
| 21:26 | 21:26 |
| Steven Morris | Steven Morris |
| Here’s an interesting/worrying sign in a car park in Bristol. “Rough sleeping, begging and other anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder will not be tolerated in this car park. Anyone found engaged in these activities will be banned from the premises. If such bans are ignored Bristol city council will seek enforcement by way of a court order, breach of which could lead to a custodial sentence.” | Here’s an interesting/worrying sign in a car park in Bristol. “Rough sleeping, begging and other anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder will not be tolerated in this car park. Anyone found engaged in these activities will be banned from the premises. If such bans are ignored Bristol city council will seek enforcement by way of a court order, breach of which could lead to a custodial sentence.” |
| Thanks to reader John who flagged this one up to us. He said rough sleeping was being “punished”. The notice does go on to offer advice to homeless people but the bottom line is that it does seem to be potentially criminalising rough sleepers. I’ve asked Bristol city council to comment. | Thanks to reader John who flagged this one up to us. He said rough sleeping was being “punished”. The notice does go on to offer advice to homeless people but the bottom line is that it does seem to be potentially criminalising rough sleepers. I’ve asked Bristol city council to comment. |
| 9.21pm GMT | 9.21pm GMT |
| 21:21 | 21:21 |
| Tonight we met... Michal | Tonight we met... Michal |
| Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff | Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff |
| Michal is an example of an east European who hasn’t always found it easy in the UK - but doesn’t want to give up. | Michal is an example of an east European who hasn’t always found it easy in the UK - but doesn’t want to give up. |
| “Today I’m going to find a job,” says Michal optimistically, a service user at Streetwork in Edinburgh. | “Today I’m going to find a job,” says Michal optimistically, a service user at Streetwork in Edinburgh. |
| Michal is one of a number of migrants who have found themselves homeless in the city. Since 2004 and the expansion of the EU, staff members tell me they’ve seen an increase in migrants presenting themselves at the centre, often because they don’t have a support network or any family in the UK. | Michal is one of a number of migrants who have found themselves homeless in the city. Since 2004 and the expansion of the EU, staff members tell me they’ve seen an increase in migrants presenting themselves at the centre, often because they don’t have a support network or any family in the UK. |
| Staff laugh as they tell me about their troubles with spelling Eastern European surnames, and one of the receptionists, who is a native Polish speaker, is constantly in demand. | Staff laugh as they tell me about their troubles with spelling Eastern European surnames, and one of the receptionists, who is a native Polish speaker, is constantly in demand. |
| My partner still lives in Poland,” says Michal, who became homeless shortly after moving back to the UK a month ago and losing his job. “She’s waiting for me. I’m too embarrassed to call her and tell her I have no money. I was so unlucky, just before I lost my job I sent all of my savings back home.” | My partner still lives in Poland,” says Michal, who became homeless shortly after moving back to the UK a month ago and losing his job. “She’s waiting for me. I’m too embarrassed to call her and tell her I have no money. I was so unlucky, just before I lost my job I sent all of my savings back home.” |
| Having worked in Dundee four years ago, Michal only returned to the UK because he struggled to find employment at home. He’s adamant that he doesn’t want to “stay here and claim benefits”, but says that he was forced into accessing Streetwork’s services or else he could have found himself sleeping rough. | Having worked in Dundee four years ago, Michal only returned to the UK because he struggled to find employment at home. He’s adamant that he doesn’t want to “stay here and claim benefits”, but says that he was forced into accessing Streetwork’s services or else he could have found himself sleeping rough. |
| Streetwork have been helping Michal with his CV, and he nervously shows me a copy of it, wondering if it looks professional enough. | Streetwork have been helping Michal with his CV, and he nervously shows me a copy of it, wondering if it looks professional enough. |
| Yesterday I spoke to many people and there’s a lot of jobs going, but they want to see my CV, so today I’ve prepared it,” he says. “The ideal job would be in construction or on a farm out in the countryside.” | Yesterday I spoke to many people and there’s a lot of jobs going, but they want to see my CV, so today I’ve prepared it,” he says. “The ideal job would be in construction or on a farm out in the countryside.” |
| However, Michal studied history in Poland and has a passion for the Middle Ages. | However, Michal studied history in Poland and has a passion for the Middle Ages. |
| There’s no Polish schools here, and my English isn’t good enough to teach British people but I liked learning about the bloody battles and I like video games of battles too - some men never grow up!” | There’s no Polish schools here, and my English isn’t good enough to teach British people but I liked learning about the bloody battles and I like video games of battles too - some men never grow up!” |
| 9.12pm GMT | 9.12pm GMT |
| 21:12 | 21:12 |
| The migrant factor | The migrant factor |
| Mark Rice-Oxley | Mark Rice-Oxley |
| There’s been plenty below the line tonight to suggest that people think a key cause of this homeless spike is immigration, so let’s focus on that for a few minutes. | There’s been plenty below the line tonight to suggest that people think a key cause of this homeless spike is immigration, so let’s focus on that for a few minutes. |
| The truth, as ever, is far more nuanced, as the Guardian’s Amelia Gentleman reports: | The truth, as ever, is far more nuanced, as the Guardian’s Amelia Gentleman reports: |
| There’s a lot of confusion about whether the sharp rise in rough sleeping is the result of migration to the UK or not – and partly this is because the official figures don’t tell us. Many charities are seeing a steep rise in UK rough sleepers, as well as recording higher numbers from outside the country, but it is hard to do a reliable breakdown of what proportion of rough sleepers are from the UK and how many are from elsewhere, because outside London there are no government statistics. | There’s a lot of confusion about whether the sharp rise in rough sleeping is the result of migration to the UK or not – and partly this is because the official figures don’t tell us. Many charities are seeing a steep rise in UK rough sleepers, as well as recording higher numbers from outside the country, but it is hard to do a reliable breakdown of what proportion of rough sleepers are from the UK and how many are from elsewhere, because outside London there are no government statistics. |
| In London there is a detailed annual survey, the Chain reports [http://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/chain-reports] reveal that 43% of recorded rough sleepers in 2014-15 were from the UK, while 35% were from Central and Eastern European countries. After the UK, Romania was the next most frequently recorded country of origin, with 18.7%, of the total, followed by Poland, at 9.6%. But it’s more complicated than that, because these figures may overstate the non-UK population, since most migrant rough sleepers aren’t eligible for help with housing or hostels (they aren’t eligible for housing benefit) so they are likely to be on the streets for longer than UK nationals, who can in theory be helped into emergency accommodation. | In London there is a detailed annual survey, the Chain reports [http://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/chain-reports] reveal that 43% of recorded rough sleepers in 2014-15 were from the UK, while 35% were from Central and Eastern European countries. After the UK, Romania was the next most frequently recorded country of origin, with 18.7%, of the total, followed by Poland, at 9.6%. But it’s more complicated than that, because these figures may overstate the non-UK population, since most migrant rough sleepers aren’t eligible for help with housing or hostels (they aren’t eligible for housing benefit) so they are likely to be on the streets for longer than UK nationals, who can in theory be helped into emergency accommodation. |
| A lot of Romanian rough sleepers in the capital are working, but too poor to afford rent, according to the annual Crisis Homelessness Monitor report [http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/homelessnessmonitor.html]. Outreach workers in London describe meeting Romanian rough sleepers who are working for agencies sub-contracted to provide refuse collection and street cleaning services for London councils – cleaning the streets that they are sleeping on. Others are working as cheap day labourers for builders, for as little as £15 a day, and sleeping rough at night because renting is unaffordable. | A lot of Romanian rough sleepers in the capital are working, but too poor to afford rent, according to the annual Crisis Homelessness Monitor report [http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/homelessnessmonitor.html]. Outreach workers in London describe meeting Romanian rough sleepers who are working for agencies sub-contracted to provide refuse collection and street cleaning services for London councils – cleaning the streets that they are sleeping on. Others are working as cheap day labourers for builders, for as little as £15 a day, and sleeping rough at night because renting is unaffordable. |
| There is funding to help European rough sleepers return home. | There is funding to help European rough sleepers return home. |
| If it is clear that work is not realistic for a number of reasons (support needs around mental health, substance misuse or simply lack of language, skills and social skills) we will always try to help people make the big decision to reconnect to their home countries,” Eammon Egerton, an outreach worker with St Mungo’s, explains. | If it is clear that work is not realistic for a number of reasons (support needs around mental health, substance misuse or simply lack of language, skills and social skills) we will always try to help people make the big decision to reconnect to their home countries,” Eammon Egerton, an outreach worker with St Mungo’s, explains. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.16pm GMT | at 9.16pm GMT |
| 9.06pm GMT | 9.06pm GMT |
| 21:06 | 21:06 |
| Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff | Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff |
| The Homeless World Cup is set to be held in Glasgow in July of this year, and yesterday trials were announced for the team which will take place in later this month and into April. | The Homeless World Cup is set to be held in Glasgow in July of this year, and yesterday trials were announced for the team which will take place in later this month and into April. |
| The annual football tournament sees more than 70 countries taking part and is one of the few football competitions where Scotland excel - winning the cup both in 2007 and 2011. | The annual football tournament sees more than 70 countries taking part and is one of the few football competitions where Scotland excel - winning the cup both in 2007 and 2011. |
| However, David Duke, who heads up the Scottish team as part of his organisation, Street Soccer, says that what’s more important to him is the work he and his fellow staff members and volunteers do every day. | However, David Duke, who heads up the Scottish team as part of his organisation, Street Soccer, says that what’s more important to him is the work he and his fellow staff members and volunteers do every day. |
| We’ve got 30 programmes a week and we’re servicing over 100 players,” says David, “We work with people affected by poverty and often homelessness. It’s super diverse, from 16-year-old girls to 68 year old men from Latvia!” | We’ve got 30 programmes a week and we’re servicing over 100 players,” says David, “We work with people affected by poverty and often homelessness. It’s super diverse, from 16-year-old girls to 68 year old men from Latvia!” |
| I’ve met David, and Ally Dawson - a former Rangers player who works for Street Soccer in Glasgow and will be coaching the Homeless Scotland team this year - at Leith Community Centre, at one of their drop-in sessions. David has been playing a match with some of the boys (and one girl) who have turned up. | I’ve met David, and Ally Dawson - a former Rangers player who works for Street Soccer in Glasgow and will be coaching the Homeless Scotland team this year - at Leith Community Centre, at one of their drop-in sessions. David has been playing a match with some of the boys (and one girl) who have turned up. |
| We have drop in events like this one which anyone can come down to. Once they’re engaged with it, they have personal development training, and they can progress to being volunteers. | We have drop in events like this one which anyone can come down to. Once they’re engaged with it, they have personal development training, and they can progress to being volunteers. |
| I set it up in 2009 and because I’d experienced homelessness in my early 20s. It was after my Dad passed away and I had cut myself off from friends and family. I actually played at the Homeless World Cup,” David says. | I set it up in 2009 and because I’d experienced homelessness in my early 20s. It was after my Dad passed away and I had cut myself off from friends and family. I actually played at the Homeless World Cup,” David says. |
| Our aim is to inspire change, promote change and let the people who play be in control of it.” | Our aim is to inspire change, promote change and let the people who play be in control of it.” |
| Ally and David take me through to where a match is being played in the main hall at the centre. “Should have brought your trainers,” Ally says, his eyes immediately swivelling to watch the game. Check out Street Soccer Scotland on Twitter: @streetsoccerSCO | Ally and David take me through to where a match is being played in the main hall at the centre. “Should have brought your trainers,” Ally says, his eyes immediately swivelling to watch the game. Check out Street Soccer Scotland on Twitter: @streetsoccerSCO |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.07pm GMT | at 9.07pm GMT |
| 8.54pm GMT | 8.54pm GMT |
| 20:54 | 20:54 |
| Tonight we met... Ray Braithwaite | Tonight we met... Ray Braithwaite |
| Jessica Elgot | Jessica Elgot |
| Ray Braithwaite has dropped by for some hot food with his girlfriend. The 40-year-old has been in Harrogate for 22 years, moving here from Grimsby. | Ray Braithwaite has dropped by for some hot food with his girlfriend. The 40-year-old has been in Harrogate for 22 years, moving here from Grimsby. |
| The port town which has any drug you could want to lay your hands on,” he said. Braitwaite was in care by the time he was eight, and spent his first night out on the streets aged 13. | The port town which has any drug you could want to lay your hands on,” he said. Braitwaite was in care by the time he was eight, and spent his first night out on the streets aged 13. |
| I started taking drugs when I was 12, and I was 33 when I decided I needed to sort my life out. I’d seen it all by that point. Now on the streets I’m seeing the generation below me. The sons of the people I knew, I don’t want to see that. I want to help them, I just wish there was something I could do.” | I started taking drugs when I was 12, and I was 33 when I decided I needed to sort my life out. I’d seen it all by that point. Now on the streets I’m seeing the generation below me. The sons of the people I knew, I don’t want to see that. I want to help them, I just wish there was something I could do.” |
| His former partner died six years ago, a woman Braithwaite credits with showing him there was more to life than cycles of drugs and prison sentences. | His former partner died six years ago, a woman Braithwaite credits with showing him there was more to life than cycles of drugs and prison sentences. |
| She was the breath of fresh air I needed. I didn’t know how to ask for help until I met her. | She was the breath of fresh air I needed. I didn’t know how to ask for help until I met her. |
| Recently local residents had complained about anti-social behaviour, and Braithwaite said he had taken himself along to the local town meeting to put across the perspective of the homeless. | Recently local residents had complained about anti-social behaviour, and Braithwaite said he had taken himself along to the local town meeting to put across the perspective of the homeless. |
| It took me a long time to get to speak, but they finally saw me with my hand up and I spoke. And they had to acknowledge they don’t know it’s just homeless people urinating in public or causing the trouble. People are blinkered sometimes, they look through you and think you’re a bum. | It took me a long time to get to speak, but they finally saw me with my hand up and I spoke. And they had to acknowledge they don’t know it’s just homeless people urinating in public or causing the trouble. People are blinkered sometimes, they look through you and think you’re a bum. |
| 8.50pm GMT | 8.50pm GMT |
| 20:50 | 20:50 |
| Mark Rice-Oxley | Mark Rice-Oxley |
| A quick word on international comparisons. Of course, this is not a British disease. Guardian data journalist Pamela Duncan reports that France has a comparable problem - around 81,000 homeless and just under 8,000 rough sleepers. | A quick word on international comparisons. Of course, this is not a British disease. Guardian data journalist Pamela Duncan reports that France has a comparable problem - around 81,000 homeless and just under 8,000 rough sleepers. |
| She has also drawn our attention to this ready reckoner, but I can’t really vouch for its accuracy. In any case, rough sleeping data for Europe has been transformed beyond all recognition by the migrant crisis so that official figures will be fairly meaningless. Still... | She has also drawn our attention to this ready reckoner, but I can’t really vouch for its accuracy. In any case, rough sleeping data for Europe has been transformed beyond all recognition by the migrant crisis so that official figures will be fairly meaningless. Still... |
| Further afield, US figures show that as a whole homelessness has been falling since 2007. But not in California, where more than 20% of the nations homeless population lives. | Further afield, US figures show that as a whole homelessness has been falling since 2007. But not in California, where more than 20% of the nations homeless population lives. |
| According to this latest report from our own west coast reporter Julia Wong, in California, 63.7% of the homeless population lacks shelter. | According to this latest report from our own west coast reporter Julia Wong, in California, 63.7% of the homeless population lacks shelter. |
| 8.34pm GMT | 8.34pm GMT |
| 20:34 | 20:34 |
| Kate Lyons | Kate Lyons |
| “We lost five people recently,” says Andrew Faris, the founder of Rhythms of Life, the cafe for homeless people in Hackney. “Nicky’s gone, Shaun’s gone, Michael’s gone...” he says. The men were sleeping rough on the streets of London and were lost to starvation or hypothermia. Shaun, who had been sleeping rough in Ridley Market, was only 23 when he died. | “We lost five people recently,” says Andrew Faris, the founder of Rhythms of Life, the cafe for homeless people in Hackney. “Nicky’s gone, Shaun’s gone, Michael’s gone...” he says. The men were sleeping rough on the streets of London and were lost to starvation or hypothermia. Shaun, who had been sleeping rough in Ridley Market, was only 23 when he died. |
| Another person who was part of their community, Rosa, also 23, who had been sleeping behind the Palace Theatre, died on Valentine’s Day. Despite repeated calls to the coroner’s office, Faris still doesn’t know how she died - they won’t release that information because he is not a relative. Rosa became homeless after fleeing from Leeds, where she lived with her mother and stepfather. Her stepfather abused her, she told Faris, and when she told her mother about the abuse, her mother kicked her out of the house. “We got her details, we passed them on to the authorities, we rang Streetlink, but they didn’t get there in time,” says Faris. “You know the way the rules are they have to see you sleeping rough for several night before you count as ‘homeless’, so they must’ve seen her night one, night two, but by night five it was too late.” | Another person who was part of their community, Rosa, also 23, who had been sleeping behind the Palace Theatre, died on Valentine’s Day. Despite repeated calls to the coroner’s office, Faris still doesn’t know how she died - they won’t release that information because he is not a relative. Rosa became homeless after fleeing from Leeds, where she lived with her mother and stepfather. Her stepfather abused her, she told Faris, and when she told her mother about the abuse, her mother kicked her out of the house. “We got her details, we passed them on to the authorities, we rang Streetlink, but they didn’t get there in time,” says Faris. “You know the way the rules are they have to see you sleeping rough for several night before you count as ‘homeless’, so they must’ve seen her night one, night two, but by night five it was too late.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.47pm GMT | at 8.47pm GMT |
| 8.28pm GMT | 8.28pm GMT |
| 20:28 | 20:28 |
| Jessica Elgot | Jessica Elgot |
| Homelessness isn’t just confined to inner cities and down-at-heel parts of the country. | Homelessness isn’t just confined to inner cities and down-at-heel parts of the country. |
| The picturesque North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate was named the happiest place to live in Britain in 2015, with its award-winning floral displays, Georgian architecture and the delicate pastries in Betty’s tea room all playing a part, as well as low crime and affluent residents. | The picturesque North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate was named the happiest place to live in Britain in 2015, with its award-winning floral displays, Georgian architecture and the delicate pastries in Betty’s tea room all playing a part, as well as low crime and affluent residents. |
| But homelessness is prevalent, and rising in line with the national picture, caused by a lack of affordable housing in an area where property is often more expensive than other parts of the county. | But homelessness is prevalent, and rising in line with the national picture, caused by a lack of affordable housing in an area where property is often more expensive than other parts of the county. |
| In the early evening at the Springboard centre, 20 people are eating hot spicy meatballs and pasta off paper plates. Church groups take it in turns to buy and prepare the meal in the kitchen, but tonight a group of friends, led by colleagues Emma Hodgson and Wendy Hartley, are at the stove, stirring rice pudding. | In the early evening at the Springboard centre, 20 people are eating hot spicy meatballs and pasta off paper plates. Church groups take it in turns to buy and prepare the meal in the kitchen, but tonight a group of friends, led by colleagues Emma Hodgson and Wendy Hartley, are at the stove, stirring rice pudding. |
| “It’s a way to give something back, every 14 weeks or so, which doesn’t break the bank,” Hartley said. “In a town like this, I don’t think people really see it, they don’t realise something like this can go on.” | “It’s a way to give something back, every 14 weeks or so, which doesn’t break the bank,” Hartley said. “In a town like this, I don’t think people really see it, they don’t realise something like this can go on.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.49pm GMT | at 8.49pm GMT |