Should homeless individuals, that have refused available shelter or housing, be allowed to sleep or encamp on public property?

Yes, and create more social programs to provide free food, clothing, and medicine

The homeless people may refuse the option of such accommodation due to the danger of violence and prevalence of drugs etc in such accommodation. Real change needs to be made higher up the change to mean that people should not find themselves in such dire situations such as sleeping rough. In this day and age, in arguably the best and most coveted country in the world, it is truly shameful to know that people are sleeping on our streets. It is entirely avoidable by a change to legislation.

allowed only if the owner of the property allows it

No, local councils should make sites available for homeless individuals to encamp on with toilet and shower facilities

The number of people who are homeless who refuse actual help is so minute that this is redundant and unhelpful.

I don’t really know

Why would they refuse

Provide free housing

No but provide better homeless care

they should be allowed but if asked to leave by pedestrians they must leave the area

They shouldn't be allowed as some streets in London for instance can be very packed with homeless and its their own fault for denying help

Would say that prevention is a better way of controlling the problem but by and large, would agree if there are adequate government resources in place.

need to get them a place and not have them on your own property because never know what could happen ( not saying anything bad would but yk )

No, but the problem itself should be addressed on why those who are homeless wouldn't want to be housed (safety & privacy concerns, for example)

It shouldn't be a criminal offence but community responders should take them to the nearest shelter and provide them with help

No homeless person should be refused shelter or housing and they should not be allowed to sleep or encamp on public property. How can the government afford to house and pay illegals, but not afford to house homeless British citizens??

I feel uninformed on this issue, as I am unsure as to why a homeless person would refuse shelter or housing.

No, but also there should be better standards in the shelter / housing they are offered, maybe thats why they refuse it.

Only as a last resort, more money should be put into homeless shelters and programmes to get people back contributing to society, the police should take homeless people to the nearest shelter to get support

No, and make it a criminal offense. However, first try and discourage such action via social programs to provide free food, clothing, and medicine.

Homelessness shouldn't exist. Homeless people deserve a right o have a house and to have essentials and it is the fault of the rich that they don't.

I would say no because they refused shelter, but why did they refuse the shelter? Was is too far from where they know, was it unfit for people to live etc.

there should be dedicated areas where homeless people are allowed to sleep that aren't openly accessible to general public

Homeless people should not encamp on public property unless in designated areas away from areas of high traffic for their and everyone else’s own safety. There should also be systems in place that help to provide free shelter, food, clothing etc… as well as programs to end homelessness entirely

Only if it is their only option in terms of personal safety (I.e. fleeing domestic abuse and hostels wouldn't be appropriate)

Homeless shelters have extremely strict rules regarding lack of diet variety, pets, visitors and personal space

To an extent, depending on where they are camping but provide more free food, clothing and medicine.

we cant put them in prison because they're full, they are choosing to live rough.. there is so much help out there

If there are sufficient grounds for refusing shelter or housing (i.e. they're not suitable for habitation) then no.

The first aspect to assess is why the person is homeless. Is it by choice or a result of unfortunate events?

Homeless individuals should be given access to housing. There should be no homelessness in a civilised country.

No, but there should be facilities made for them to live in whilst doing community work or a normal 9 - 5, they should have a school where they can get educated further and live for themselves in a community where they feel accepted and no longer treated like they don't exist.

It shouldn’t be encouraged but if someone is wanting to be on the streets then try your best to help them in the best way

Yes, but we should ascertain that said housing is fit to live in (e.g, free of black mould, bedbugs, etc.)

Public owned areas could be released and made safe environments for people who do not find other places offered as safe spaces.

Yes, but also subsidise employment and housing programmes to reduce the homelessness and unemployment rates

If they refuse available shelter then it's not clearly not very good for whatever reason so increase funding

No, but more funding must go to homeless shelters and charities to support those who refuse housing.

There should be places out of main public property where homeless people who want to stay in the street can encamp

Assignment of state-funded housing and low paid manual labour if they refuse available support. Refusing work resulting in prosecution unless there is a medical reason in which case state-funded healthcare will be supplied.

It should be strongly advised against, however sleeping arrangements for the homeless should be split based on age, religion, and gender.

yes on benches under bridges any architectural structure that they can find but more should be done to provide for homeless people

Yeah but not in a city by a Poundland, in the woods where you don’t cause a problem (it’s nicer anyway)

Homelessness affects a small part of the population, so increasing community support schemes could be a better solution. It’s important for homeless individuals to be mindful of where they sleep, as businesses don’t want people in their doorways or nearby, as it can affect sales. While it's a complex issue, setting up outdoor areas specifically for sleeping could help. Offering support and kindness in ways that are comfortable for them wouldn’t cost much overall and could benefit both the homeless and the community.

No, but it should not be a criminal offence. We, as a society, must make available housing safer and more appealing to the homeless.

Well it depends where these homeless people are sleeping as you don't want them sleeping in front of a primary school

Yes but only if they are not being a disturbance and move if asked to etc. They may have a reason for denying the available shelter such as being with a dog but the condition for being given the shelter was that the dog couldn't come

No, but build homeless shelters and create programs to provide them free food, clothing, and medicine.

Yes, but they should be persuaded to go to avalible shelter and if they still don't then they can stay but can't interfere or cause any trouble and after they should be investigated for just begging for money for other reasons other than not trying to get back on their feet

Create tent areas for those that refuse shelter. They refuse generally because the conditions there are terrible. They'd rather freeze outside where germs are few, than go inside and risk contamination.

If someone is not causing anyone any trouble then they should be left alone, also there should be tighter security in homeless accomodation

As with all aspects of law each case should be decided on it's own merits which is quite simply the only fair way to do it. Blanket laws are rarely a good thing. (couldn't resist the pun)

They have been given a chance and will get endless chances to say yes to this offer , meaning there is no excuse to camp on public property, exceptions are excluded areas

Try to improve sheltering (making sure its affordable) for the homeless as well as trying to find the homeless jobs urgently.

Yes, but when they do offer these programmes rather than temporarily giving them a home which gives them nothing to work with, give them jobs which will enable them to buy for themselves by a certain point.

Yes but the government should support the establishment of homeless villages like they have in American cities, like Portland's Dignity Village.

I think a two-strikes and you're out system would do well, although the problem stems from the housing system in generally as it's too costly to live in a house for many people. Homeless Hostels with all-gender facilities and pet-friendly facilities would be a good short-term solution.

Should be more in the way of helping the homeless get clean if on drugs and provide them with ways of getting a job

There should be a support system to system for these people. Mental health is a big factor in this issue

No, unless there is a reason that they have refused available shelter/housing, such as pets or not wanting to be separated from a vulnerable person.

No, but only if the available shelter that they are refusing is well maintained and suitable for their needs

Yes, but improve Social housing and Homeless shelters to make them safer and more accessible for the homeless

They should be banned from town centres and people's property, instead they should be allowed to camp in fields and parks but only at night

No but there should be allocated refuges for the homeless, like Villages etc. To prevent such things.

Create more social programs to get these people off the streets, there is a reason they don't want the shelter and housing and that's what needs addressing

I think there are too many factors at play for this to be so cut and dry. Individuals safety and mental health should issues could play a part in refusing help.

Public property is too unspecific a term to answer this question. Should they be allowed to sleep under a tree in the park? Sure. Should they be allowed to sleep on the stairwell of a subway station, perhaps not.

No, but it should be considered that some of those who refuse do so are drug addicts who are trying to keep away from other users who will get them back into drugs and petty crime

No but enforcement should only be exercised when doing so is causing problems and more support should be provided

Yes but they must use their common sense. No sleeping in/on memorials or in graveyards. They know where to use common sense

Depends on the type of accommodation they have been offered. Most hostles for example are more dangerous and risky than sleeping on the streets, so if that's what they have been offered it is unsuitable, and they shouldn't be punished for refusing.

Make sure there is enough space for them to be in general, abandoned buildings left empty to charities etc. This would be hard to monitor if there is available shelter. No one should be prosecuted for sleeping in a safe place if in a suitable zone. Maybe have specific zones for this?

no but the housing and shelter should be regulated more and only offered to sober people and children

Any empty public property that can provide shelter to allow this as sometimes the sheltering may not suite the individual

They shouldn’t be refused. If there’s a valid reason they should be allowed access to a designated shelter or housing for the same people as them, and allowed access to rehab and support.

No, but provide more shelters that are safe and trustworthy so these people need not fear or mistrust them

No, they should be offered psychological help to try to mend any psychological trauma that has occurred to them in the past. This will likely help them seek help from the government.

Yes, however reserve the right to refuse access for private property, or inconvenient places such as entrances, bridges, alleys, etc. Homeless individuals should be allowed to sleep in public areas, such as park, benches, forests, public-owned buildings and more.

make it a criminal offence, will give the individual saftey, a bed and food for at least a night which is good at least.

it depends by what means, if not bothering people then i see no harm but if for other things there will probably be another law to use

Create more jobs for the homeless and accomodation. No more student accomodation and less asylum seekers. There needs to be more incentive for these people.

They shouldn’t refuse be be re established into housing as lots have mental health issues so are used to sleeping rough I think it a case of counselling sessions to get people used to the norm

No. They should still be aided where possible but to actively not engage with society shows that you dont want to be a part of it. So why benefit from the public spaces of that society? If you dont want to be helped, live in the woods. That would be my plan.

Create social programmes to help people with their physical and mental health and a way back to being active members of society

No, If they have refused they should be taken to shelter and given a key worker to support them to live back in a home. Many people living on the streets have done so for a long time and are scared to live in a home for many reasons: loneliness, fear of losing it, fear of finances, not having support.

Not when it encroaches on the amenity for others. Deliberate disruption and not able to fit within society boundaries are different things.

No, for public safety and their own personal safety it should not be allowed as policing such things would become extremely difficult, however there should be a simple way to access food, clothing and medicine for those in need

Yes, we should provide safe spaces for those who have issues that have led to their decision to refuse available housing/accommodation.