Discussion
croyde said:
My daughter is currently homeless, 200 miles up north. She has a job, minimum wage but in order to keep costs down she was living in a student house with 7 others. Awful for her as they are up partying all the time whilst she needs sleep.
Contract ended 2 weeks ago and she and a friend have spent months looking for a 2 bed to rent but so are loads of other people.
The hotel she works for has given her a room for a few days then she has a pet sitting gig so can sleep there for a couple of weeks.
Then what.
She's 25. When I was her age rent was not a problem even down here in London.
She's welcome to come down and move in with me but what about her life, friends and job.
There has too be many more these days who have jobs but can't find anywhere to live.
I myself know that if my landlord decides to stiff me with a rent increase, I could well be in a similar situation. I'm 61.
Bless her, what has gone wrong when a youngster who is hard working and wants to progress can’tContract ended 2 weeks ago and she and a friend have spent months looking for a 2 bed to rent but so are loads of other people.
The hotel she works for has given her a room for a few days then she has a pet sitting gig so can sleep there for a couple of weeks.
Then what.
She's 25. When I was her age rent was not a problem even down here in London.
She's welcome to come down and move in with me but what about her life, friends and job.
There has too be many more these days who have jobs but can't find anywhere to live.
I myself know that if my landlord decides to stiff me with a rent increase, I could well be in a similar situation. I'm 61.
This is what winds me up so much about the five kids families at school who’ve never had a job but have a lovely house and all the trappings.
Croyde, I hope things improve for her
Spare tyre said:
This is what winds me up so much about the five kids families at school who’ve never had a job but have a lovely house and all the trappings.
Just on a minor note Social Housing is very basic. I think very few PHers would choose to live in them unless they had to (which is as it should be). And there aren't many 4 bed / 5 bed properties. Most tend to be 2 bed/3 bed and the kids are expected to share.Countdown said:
Spare tyre said:
This is what winds me up so much about the five kids families at school who’ve never had a job but have a lovely house and all the trappings.
Just on a minor note Social Housing is very basic. I think very few PHers would choose to live in them unless they had to (which is as it should be). And there aren't many 4 bed / 5 bed properties. Most tend to be 2 bed/3 bed and the kids are expected to share.HTP99 said:
Countdown said:
Spare tyre said:
This is what winds me up so much about the five kids families at school who’ve never had a job but have a lovely house and all the trappings.
Just on a minor note Social Housing is very basic. I think very few PHers would choose to live in them unless they had to (which is as it should be). And there aren't many 4 bed / 5 bed properties. Most tend to be 2 bed/3 bed and the kids are expected to share.Homelessness is a complex issue. We as Society expect people to conform and live in houses and flats and abide by the rules. And for many they just can't do that whether that is due to addiction or some mental health issue. There are people out there who have given their spare accommodation to homeless people, only for them to leave because they can't cope or bear it.
HTP99 said:
Countdown said:
Spare tyre said:
This is what winds me up so much about the five kids families at school who’ve never had a job but have a lovely house and all the trappings.
Just on a minor note Social Housing is very basic. I think very few PHers would choose to live in them unless they had to (which is as it should be). And there aren't many 4 bed / 5 bed properties. Most tend to be 2 bed/3 bed and the kids are expected to share.Red9zero said:
HTP99 said:
Countdown said:
Spare tyre said:
This is what winds me up so much about the five kids families at school who’ve never had a job but have a lovely house and all the trappings.
Just on a minor note Social Housing is very basic. I think very few PHers would choose to live in them unless they had to (which is as it should be). And there aren't many 4 bed / 5 bed properties. Most tend to be 2 bed/3 bed and the kids are expected to share.Shoot me down if I am wrong, but I can't see how anybody, can end up homeless....if they are prepared to work.
There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Obviously there will be exceptions and genuine reasons, why someone can't work, injuries, mental issues etc and I hope that there would be things in place to help such people.
There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Obviously there will be exceptions and genuine reasons, why someone can't work, injuries, mental issues etc and I hope that there would be things in place to help such people.
Edited by MattsCar on Wednesday 3rd July 15:28
MattsCar said:
Shoot me down if I am wrong, but I can't see how anybody, can end up homeless....if they are prepared to work.
There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Have you tried to get a job without an address? There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Anyway you heard it here everyone! homeless people are just lazy, thanks for solving that for us, can you do war next?
Edited by Zolvaro on Wednesday 3rd July 15:28
MattsCar said:
Shoot me down if I am wrong, but I can't see how anybody, can end up homeless....if they are prepared to work.
There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Can you get a job without an address, and a bank account ? I know our company tried employing a few homeless people a while ago and it was impossible. Maybe cash in hand work, but that would come with its own problems.There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Red9zero said:
MattsCar said:
Shoot me down if I am wrong, but I can't see how anybody, can end up homeless....if they are prepared to work.
There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Can you get a job without an address, and a bank account ? I know our company tried employing a few homeless people a while ago and it was impossible. Maybe cash in hand work, but that would come with its own problems.There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
MattsCar said:
Red9zero said:
MattsCar said:
Shoot me down if I am wrong, but I can't see how anybody, can end up homeless....if they are prepared to work.
There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Can you get a job without an address, and a bank account ? I know our company tried employing a few homeless people a while ago and it was impossible. Maybe cash in hand work, but that would come with its own problems.There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Zolvaro said:
MattsCar said:
Shoot me down if I am wrong, but I can't see how anybody, can end up homeless....if they are prepared to work.
There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Have you tried to get a job without an address? There are jobs galore around my area, Tesco/ Amazon/ DPD warehouses who will instantly give a job to anyone, usually slightly above minimum wage.
There are also plenty of rooms in shared houses for £500 a month (checked a few months ago for a friend).
So you get a job, move in to a shared house and live on a restricted budget, within your means, basically what the majority of eastern european migrants do, when they arrive in to this country and then work their way up.
Obviously, if you are not prepared to work, then you are going to have trouble. Likewise if you have some sort of addiction problem, that sees you hanging round the local town centre, posing as homeless, but pinching from Poundland to fund your habit.
Anyway you heard it here everyone! homeless people are just lazy, thanks for solving that for us, can you do war next?
Edited by Zolvaro on Wednesday 3rd July 15:28
Yes, some may have genuine issues that prevents them from working and I hope they would get the support they needed.
Countdown said:
Spare tyre said:
This is what winds me up so much about the five kids families at school who’ve never had a job but have a lovely house and all the trappings.
Just on a minor note Social Housing is very basic. I think very few PHers would choose to live in them unless they had to (which is as it should be). And there aren't many 4 bed / 5 bed properties. Most tend to be 2 bed/3 bed and the kids are expected to share.As I've said a few times on here my father in law lived 2 streets from us in a housing association house and never worked in the entire time I knew him.
It was maintained and upgraded by the HA including new bathrooms and a kitchen, and double glazing. I wouldn't describe it as basic. It was just normal reasonably modern house. The main difference between our house and theirs (we lived 2 streets away) was we had to work pay for ours, plus pay for all the work it needed.
98elise said:
Not in my experience.
As I've said a few times on here my father in law lived 2 streets from us in a housing association house and never worked in the entire time I knew him.
It was maintained and upgraded by the HA including new bathrooms and a kitchen, and double glazing. I wouldn't describe it as basic. It was just normal reasonably modern house. The main difference between our house and theirs (we lived 2 streets away) was we had to work pay for ours, plus pay for all the work it needed.
I hope you don't mind me asking as I'm genuinely curiousAs I've said a few times on here my father in law lived 2 streets from us in a housing association house and never worked in the entire time I knew him.
It was maintained and upgraded by the HA including new bathrooms and a kitchen, and double glazing. I wouldn't describe it as basic. It was just normal reasonably modern house. The main difference between our house and theirs (we lived 2 streets away) was we had to work pay for ours, plus pay for all the work it needed.
What kind of house was it? (terraced/semi/Detached)
Approximate value?
How long has he lived there and (assuming the LA has a waiting list) what criteria did he use to get to the top of the Priority list? Was he a single parent? Homeless? A veteran? It's unlikely (IME) that a single bloke would be given a full house. Given the waiting lists and the overcrowding they're normally given to families. There's a priority list starting at "homeless single parents/lots of kids" at the top, moving down to "Not homeless individuals who want their own place but can't afford open market rentals"
Kitchens/bathrooms are on a rolling replacement programme. They get changed every 10 to 15 years usually (assuming they don't get trashed by the tenants). However they ARE the basic stuff from the likes of B&Q, there was no point putting decent or high-end stuff in.
There are definitely individuals/families who take the proverbial, and would benefit from a regular tasering in the balls. However having a home at least gives some of them the chance to break the poverty cycle. If they don't have decent housing they'll do crap at school, which means they dont have the best of chances in getting suitable employment which means they're also going to end up homeless. OTOH provide them with basic housing and there's a chance they might turn out to be law abiding tax paying citizens.
I am not a bleeding heart liberal but I think it's amazing that we live in a society where the State at least tries to look after people who (for one reason or another) are incapable of looking after themselves .
Edited by Countdown on Wednesday 3rd July 17:34
Spare tyre said:
TheJimi said:
Spare tyre said:
Motorman74 said:
A school friend of mine was murdered in a homeless hostel - he'd had a troubled life, even when we were in school - but he didn't deserve that.
My wife's office is opposite the same homeless hostel, a number of homeless people have been hit by cars while totally out of it on spice or whatever.
Where I work, there are a large number of vans and caravans parked in non-residential streets around a park. They are being moved on - they need to go somewhere, it's probably going to be dispersal in the surrounding residential streets. Despite "van life" being this idealised youtube channel thing, none of these people are living in vans by choice. A bit more empathy/compassion is needed.
It's an epidemic of immense proportions, and it's not limited to the UK. The system is completely broken. I don't have any idea how this can be fixed, but just abandoning these people is really not acceptable in 2024.
Horrid thing to say, but stopping rewarding cretins for breeding with free houses and “pay” would be a good startMy wife's office is opposite the same homeless hostel, a number of homeless people have been hit by cars while totally out of it on spice or whatever.
Where I work, there are a large number of vans and caravans parked in non-residential streets around a park. They are being moved on - they need to go somewhere, it's probably going to be dispersal in the surrounding residential streets. Despite "van life" being this idealised youtube channel thing, none of these people are living in vans by choice. A bit more empathy/compassion is needed.
It's an epidemic of immense proportions, and it's not limited to the UK. The system is completely broken. I don't have any idea how this can be fixed, but just abandoning these people is really not acceptable in 2024.
MattsCar said:
Shoot me down if I am wrong, but I can't see how anybody, can end up homeless....if they are prepared to work.
I've been biting my tongue at this.That is an incredibly naive and simplistic view of what is almost always a complex situation for the individuals who find themselves homeless.
Countdown said:
98elise said:
Not in my experience.
As I've said a few times on here my father in law lived 2 streets from us in a housing association house and never worked in the entire time I knew him.
It was maintained and upgraded by the HA including new bathrooms and a kitchen, and double glazing. I wouldn't describe it as basic. It was just normal reasonably modern house. The main difference between our house and theirs (we lived 2 streets away) was we had to work pay for ours, plus pay for all the work it needed.
I hope you don't mind me asking as I'm genuinely curiousAs I've said a few times on here my father in law lived 2 streets from us in a housing association house and never worked in the entire time I knew him.
It was maintained and upgraded by the HA including new bathrooms and a kitchen, and double glazing. I wouldn't describe it as basic. It was just normal reasonably modern house. The main difference between our house and theirs (we lived 2 streets away) was we had to work pay for ours, plus pay for all the work it needed.
What kind of house was it? (terraced/semi/Detached)
Approximate value?
How long has he lived there and (assuming the LA has a waiting list) what criteria did he use to get to the top of the Priority list? Was he a single parent? Homeless? A veteran? It's unlikely (IME) that a single bloke would be given a full house. Given the waiting lists and the overcrowding they're normally given to families. There's a priority list starting at "homeless single parents/lots of kids" at the top, moving down to "Not homeless individuals who want their own place but can't afford open market rentals"
Kitchens/bathrooms are on a rolling replacement programme. They get changed every 10 to 15 years usually (assuming they don't get trashed by the tenants). However they ARE the basic stuff from the likes of B&Q, there was no point putting decent or high-end stuff in.
There are definitely individuals/families who take the proverbial, and would benefit from a regular tasering in the balls. However having a home at least gives some of them the chance to break the poverty cycle. If they don't have decent housing they'll do crap at school, which means they dont have the best of chances in getting suitable employment which means they're also going to end up homeless. OTOH provide them with basic housing and there's a chance they might turn out to be law abiding tax paying citizens.
I am not a bleeding heart liberal but I think it's amazing that we live in a society where the State at least tries to look after people who (for one reason or another) are incapable of looking after themselves .
Edited by Countdown on Wednesday 3rd July 17:34
Yes the bathrooms and kitchens were on a par with say B&Q, but that's what I would call normal, rather than basic. Certainly not bad in any way. If someone wanted to come and replace my 25 year old kitchen with a free B&Q one I would be over the moon. Changing every 10 to 15 years sounds about right from what we saw.
98elise said:
It was a 3 bed end of terrace house in the south east. Value today would be something like £280k. He'd lived there since the mid 70's when it was the family home (council house).
Yes the bathrooms and kitchens were on a par with say B&Q, but that's what I would call normal, rather than basic. Certainly not bad in any way. If someone wanted to come and replace my 25 year old kitchen with a free B&Q one I would be over the moon. Changing every 10 to 15 years sounds about right from what we saw.
Thanks for responding.Yes the bathrooms and kitchens were on a par with say B&Q, but that's what I would call normal, rather than basic. Certainly not bad in any way. If someone wanted to come and replace my 25 year old kitchen with a free B&Q one I would be over the moon. Changing every 10 to 15 years sounds about right from what we saw.
If it's a 3-bed and he's living on his own I'm surprised he's not being asked to move or having his Housing Benefit cut (as he is technically "underoccupying")
TheJimi said:
MattsCar said:
Shoot me down if I am wrong, but I can't see how anybody, can end up homeless....if they are prepared to work.
I've been biting my tongue at this.That is an incredibly naive and simplistic view of what is almost always a complex situation for the individuals who find themselves homeless.
The OP's original post was this, which i responded to...
”Just wondered your thoughts on it. We are not talking people with addiction problems etc just normal people who due to the cost of living, divorce, mental health etc, massively changing, not ticking boxes for social help, usually single males,”
In all honesty, other than serious mental health struggles (which are valid and as I have said before, I hope those in that situation society is setup to help those that need it) I can't see any reason why anything else in the list above, would stop someone from working and supporting themselves in accommodation?
Cost of living crisis? Maybe live within your means?
Divorce? When has being divorced stopped a person from working?
My view is simplistic, but I genuinely can't see any reason, other than what I have mentioned above, why anyone would be homeless if they are willing to work and live within their means.
Someone previously mentioned that it is nigh on impossible to get a job as you can't get an address/ can't get a bank account, which if true, would be an issue.
ETA Please note that this is my view. There are a lot more knowledgeable people out there who know a lot more about this than me and I am happy to accept that my view might not be correct, so if anyone wants to school me and change my mind go ahead!
Edited by MattsCar on Wednesday 3rd July 19:34
Countdown said:
98elise said:
It was a 3 bed end of terrace house in the south east. Value today would be something like £280k. He'd lived there since the mid 70's when it was the family home (council house).
Yes the bathrooms and kitchens were on a par with say B&Q, but that's what I would call normal, rather than basic. Certainly not bad in any way. If someone wanted to come and replace my 25 year old kitchen with a free B&Q one I would be over the moon. Changing every 10 to 15 years sounds about right from what we saw.
Thanks for responding.Yes the bathrooms and kitchens were on a par with say B&Q, but that's what I would call normal, rather than basic. Certainly not bad in any way. If someone wanted to come and replace my 25 year old kitchen with a free B&Q one I would be over the moon. Changing every 10 to 15 years sounds about right from what we saw.
If it's a 3-bed and he's living on his own I'm surprised he's not being asked to move or having his Housing Benefit cut (as he is technically "underoccupying")
I've no idea how the finances worked, other than he never worked in the entire time I knew him, so all he had was benefits. They had a newer car than us (owned from new), and their house was bigger. UK only holidays though so they didn't tick every stereotype!
We live two streets away, in a two bed place which needed a rop to bottom refurb (which I did when not working). When I needed more space for kids I had to work harder/longer to pay for an extension (and I did most of the work).
As you can guess we really didn't get on.
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