The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 is to ensure that everyone who is at risk of homelessness, or who is homeless, is legally entitled to meaningful help from their local authority regardless of their current status. It does this by defining the service that local councils and other public bodies must provide to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The law requires councils to provide that help at an earlier stage than previously, with the objective that this will decrease the likelihood that people will become homeless.
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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.
Yes, as long as they don't make a nuisance of themselves (I.e. harassing passers-by or refusing to move if asked to.)
Homeless people should be allowed to stay in Long term empty homes where the landlords have ignored to repair the property or rent it out, that have been made safe and habitable. Council's could enforce this with compulsory purchase orders
If they have personal reasons for not going to available housing, then it’s ok, but if they have no reason then it’s wrong
Yes, but create plenty of free designated public space for this such as camp site style locations. Sleeping in doorways should be banned as long as suitable alternatives are provided.
I think we have too many empty buildings owned by people who never use them, or to rent out, that could easily be used to for homes for the homeless. Covid proved we can shelter them, so the only reason they're turning this accommodation down is that it's probably not fit for purpose.
No but introduce certain areas for this to be permitted or ensure that the shelter or housing meets their preferred needs.
Homeless people shouldn't sleep on public property so passes by and enjoy the surroundings more and not feel sorry for them but the should be a place where all homeless people can sleep and if they refused to sleep there they can sleep in a separate area outside. This will keep them safer and more cared for.
I don't think this should be encouraged but equally should not be criminalised. More shelters and better safety & support within them would encourage people to take up offers.
Why are they refusing the housing? Yes, but ensure social programs are put in place to help with employment etc
No but more regulations should be put in place to ensure the shelter/housing offered is suitable and compatible
Yes until more work is done to improve the temporary shelter offer by local authorities so it is safe.
Not all homeless are offered alternative accommodation and therefore do not have the option to sleep anywhere other than in public areas, those who have been offered accommodation (depending on the standard) should consider that over the streets
I think it's important to understand why they refused it what are the conditions of the shelters offered
Better social and health programs to help the homeless as homelessness is a symptom of something greater
Right to roam should be allowed, but limits should be put in place for duration, location (near schools, play areas, beauty spots), and areas must be left as they are found.
No, because refusal of shelter should innately be considered a social/mental disorder for which they must receive treatment, and not grounds for receiving no help.
Nobody should be refused shelter. We should have a programme to provide sheltered accommodation for everyone that needs it and help support them to get back on their feet to work and get back to having their own home whether rented or owned.
Create more shelters or housing for homeless individuals. With support programs and rehabilitation systems.
an investigation should be gone into why someone would decide to sleep on public property as the government funded initiatives may be unsafe.
They should still be provided free food, clothing and medicine but refused to sleep in the City Centre
I think that there needs to be an improvement in the facilities available to homeless people - why would people refuse this help? Do they feel unsafe?
No, only if they have refused housing or shelter, but the government should be providing more programs to improve homelessness.
Individual circumstances should be taken into consideration. If someone is intentionally being difficult, there isn't much that can be done, but they still need somewhere to sleep! However there may be other circumstances to taken into consideration as to why housing may have been refused, personal safety etc.
Sometimes it’s safer on the street than in the provided shelter. Would be better to have safer shelters
System should not turn away those that are homeless and have no where to sleep. They are free to do whatever’s necessary to survive
Assessed on a case by case basis, taking into consideration the individual’s circumstances and whether they’re causing disruption to others
Yes at night when the shops are closed but during the day they should find else where to sleep to stop disruption to a business
Increase food, shelter and clothing , medicine. Allow some public spaces to encamp but not a free fall
No one should have to live on the streets, those that do should be given adequate food, clothing etc those who are refused sue to drug use should be given the opportunity to get clean and work to earn to take care of themselves
Abandoned buildings (particularly those of architectural value) should be converted into homeless shelters or community centres.
Why have they refused available shelter? Perhaps that needs to be improved and these homeless individuals provided with free food, clothing, medicine and mental health care.
Agencies should be established to support homeless people to help them to the point where they can find accommodation appropriate to their needs
Yes, and get to the root cause as to WHY they have refused available shelter and work to support them in other ways. Available places are often in unsafe HMOs and/or perhaps they have complex mental health issues that need to be treated.
Nobody in a wealthy country should be homeless. There should be a National Homes Service providing housing, free at the point of occupation, at least for the lowest paid and most vulnerable in society
The question is completely biased - current levels of homelessness reflect lack of affordable housing, and the issue this question raises if trivial in comparison
If they refuse then there really isn't anything we can do. perhaps we should be looking towards countries that have had success and mirror their behaviour.
It should not be criminalised, but these people need help to bring them back into the community.
There should be places out of main public property where homeless people who want to stay in the street can encamp
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
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)
Yes, but more should be done in addition to creating more programs, free food and medicine. More emergency accomodation
Yes, and create an 'Everybody In' programme like they have in Finland, so it becomes less necessary.
only if said shelter/housing proved to be hostile (e.g. assault happening, deplorable health conditions making them sick...)
no. Just provide sufficient self-contained accommodation to allow homeless to live and eventually work in dignity
No, but the current available shelter and housing for the homeless is inadequate and must be improved
Make people not want to refuse shelter/housing
Yes, but provide support programmes to deal with mental health and addictions that may make them feel more at home on the streets than in a shelter or housing.
Yes but with intense continued support and work to change that
Need to do more to help people
No, provide more opportunities
Nobody should need to sleep rough. They should be stopped but more done for them to provide support.
Yes and no because they should have toke the home but its there chose of what they wont to do.
Yes but as long as they are not in the way
No, and they shouldn't be refused from any shelter and housing
Letting them sleep on public property will make some people uncomfortable especially as we have offered a roof above their heads, but it is not private property so anyone can be on that ground.
I don’t think it should be criminalised, but I don’t think they should be aloud to beg openly on the streets during day time. And I do feel awful.
They should be further encouraged to take up the offers of help, make it illegal after a time
Yes and ensure the vulnerable feel safe in their living environment.
i think they should be aloud to but they should just pick the shelter instead though
no but infrastructure needs improving
Specific social areas should be designated 'safe sleep zones' where social programs can provide free food, clothing, medicine and support.
Treat homelessness under the healthcare system
They should try and if they’re still out in public streets the government should find out why
What is the alternative if they refuse accommodation? If they aren't sleeping on public land, they have to sleep on private land which would be worse for the land owner. Criminalising it makes it an expensive job for the police and prison system. No good solution here.
Yes if it is safe and they are there without causing damage to public property or exhibiting antisocial behaviour towards individuals
No but wouldnt enforce without establishing options for housing, schemes, programs and such
Yes, but only in confirmed safe areas as far from high foot traffic areas, people will be reviewed to make sure they are safe or are still adamant to refuse shelter
it depends on why but in general no it should not be made a criminal offense, there should be more social programs to provide free food, clothing and medical care as well as help with any drug, alcohol or mental health problems
As long as they're respectful of the public spaces I see no issue. We should also ban disruptive design aimed at shunning the homeless (spikes under bridges etc.)
No, but increase funding for shelter security.
Support for homeless individuals is very complex and should be provided accordingly.
no but make gendered and sober shelters available
It depends why they have refused shelter. Each case should be reviewed on its own merits
no but they should be allowed certain areas in which they are allowed to that may not be in a shelter which allows them freedom
Yes, because they still have the right to live and it is their choice to refuse shelter and potentially break the law
If they are reported enough, then they should be removed
The Church and religious venues who are supposed to be ALL caring should open one designated church in a region with council paying for the security - HOWEVER my friend works at Center Point and its more a case that alot of Homeless, Drunks, Drug addicted usually dont accept the accommodation. More thought of rehabilitation that actually understands addiction for those needs funding. Homeless from losing your house etc should be council emergency based on circumstance.
Add incentives and discounts to buy land to house homeless. Without mass regulations.
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