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

Provide free housing

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

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

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.

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.

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

It depends on the circumstances that got them there, there should be more social programs to direct them to the appropriate care or advice that they need dependant on their circumstances.

Impartial - there should be motions put in place that get to the bottom of why these individual do not want to go to the available shelter. Therapy etc should be in place to help these.

More allowances for short term housing for vulnerable groups. Long term homelessness requires a different solution

no but we should set up places where they can go instead as it’s not safe for them to be out on the streets

Yes, but not where it causes a nuisance / problems for people just going about their day to day lives

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.

Homelessness shouldn't exist at all. There are enough empty and unused properties across the UK to house people in need. Stop building new houses.

Homeless who are being forced to leave there local community for housing and decline, should not be penalised for wishing to stay in that community. Further development of shelters for people sleeping rough should be developed.

No, unless it is exceptional circumstances where they are in danger by accepting the housing/ shelter. (All male shelter and female who is homeless, etc)

instead of public property there should be free temporary shelters , and if the homeless person doesnt want that help either then yes it should be a criminal offense but they shouldnt be arrested so quickly and harshly.. make the crime charge lenient

Depends if the landowners happy with it 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 for people who find themselves in this situation

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Depends on 1. the type of public property and 2. the conditions of the sheltered housing refused. I also agree that better social programmes should be put in place.

Depending on the reason for refusal, it’s it’s drug use, then provide free support and rehabilitation

It isn’t black & white!! If housing is offered a distance from someone’s life I think it’s reasonable ale to refuse..

There must be a valid reason why the homeless are refusing given shelter. It Should not be criminalised

Sleeping and Encamping are very different, short term sleeping should be okay but long term camping should not.

No, if there it causes a significant interference to public life Yes, if there is no disturbance to public life

No, but create more social programs dedicated to helping the homeless by building hotels that provide the homeless with homes.

They should but the resource available to cities/regions should be split according to the number of homeless people there

No, but create more social progrmas to provide food, clothing, medicine and housing to help homeless people

Nobody should be homeless in UK and the government should ensure that everyone is housed in basic accommodation.

yes, where else are they going to go. we cant afford to keep arresting them or sending them to prison.

Yes, as long as its not on private property and provide more options for shelter, medicine and food.

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.

If they have refused housing, they should not be allowed to camp on public property but in designated areas

Yes, but each case should be taken on its own merit - for example, someone should not be allowed to park a van and settle at a public beauty spot, causing a blight and reducing the enjoyment for others, and claim it their right as they are of no fixed abode.

No but every city/town should have a hall they can stay in which people can help provide clothes and food.

Plenty of council areas that can be used to house the homeless they need extra funding to do them up and support people in their communities

Yes, but begging and causing people to feel intimidated should be discouraged. Also drugs and alcohol testing for benefits.

It shouldn’t be a criminal offense but we cant just leave them in public property. We shoudl create more social programs for them

If they are offered support they should take it. If they choose to sleep on the streets because they don’t want support, leave them be.

This is a blanket solution to a complex problem. It needs to be better managed that the solutions suggested here

I feel like if they are capable of taking a shelter or support they should if they are unable there should be a location in a field with tents fir them to stay

Yes but there should be a list of rules they need to follow so they don't encamp close to spaces that are not appropriate. In parks, near statues, really busy locations in the city.

We need desperately to create more appropriate new social housing. Study after study shows that once you get people into housing, you can address other issues. Homelessness well never be fully solved and as long as there's 'austerity' we're simply magnifying social problems and poverty that lead to homelessness

Should have some choice regards what available property they accept and should be delivered as part of a wider social care reform which monitors, mentors and rehabilitates the homeless person in their new setting.

This is nuanced. There will be people with mental health problems etc who may refuse shelter but still Need help

No, but the punishment should be that they are removed and taken to a shelter before further prosecution

No, but fund good quality, trauma informed outreach services that will support these individuals. Completely again Vagrancy laws.

They need to be assessed as individuals to understand why they have made this decision. There is no one solution to a variety of causes.

Yes, and create more social programs to help them AND mental health services to help them get back into housing

No, instead lower the prices of newly made housing and create temporary residency for homeless people to re-enter the system by joining minimum wage role programs

I think it's important to understand why they refused it what are the conditions of the shelters offered

No, not if they have refused suitable housing or shelter. They should be encouraged and supported to accept housing and the councils should create more social programs to provide free food, clothing, and medicine

The number of people who would actually decline housing is minimal. This a stupid right wing question

Make sure that the shelters are a safe place and only offer it to those that are actively trying to better themselves.

No, they should be given a safe place to sleep, whether in a shelter or an encampment created by the council. People have the right to choose, within reason.

Mo, but create more social programs to provide food, clothing, medicine, work experience and career advice.

Shouldn’t be criminal offence but housing should me be more accepting of people with pets and if still refused should not be allowed to encamp on public property

Yes but more should be spent on finding and preventing the root causes of homelessness like mental health issues.

No, it should be made a priority that the underlying reason as to why they are homeless be established and they find a way to effectively be rehoused and given a support plan to reintegrate into society.

No, they shouldn’t be allowed to sleep on public property but support should be put in place to help them accept available shelter

I don't think shelters or housing it at a significant standard, eg housing may have damp, or shelter may have abusive people in it. They may also be forced to move away from their local community. Safety is a priority unless you can guarantee that they are safe, and have their social support network I would not be in favour of this policy.

No, we should put more money into converting abandoned building int safe "shared living' spaces that not only give them a bed, food and water but can help the homeless with advice on finding a property, work, drug and alcohol rehabilitation. They have so long in the programme to come through it and accept the help. If they refuse the programme then it should become a criminal offence with the a realistic option of prison.

I mean, it really depends on whether they are making it dirty and whether or not they are stopping people from using the property

In principle, if people wish to remain homeless that is their choice. However, mental health should be reviewed.

No. Create a space of similar conditions and legalise those only for those who do not wish to take housing.

Yes, there should be designated public property areas that camping is allowed with shower facilities

There should never be a reason that someone is refused shelter. We need to emulate other homeless projects such as the right for homes act in Canada

They should have access to centres that can provide advice, medical check ups, food and drink, a shower and somewhere to wash their clothes and support for finding shelter for the night and onwards accommodation.

The offer of help should never expire. I believe if we start supporting families and children who are more likely to have addiction or homelessness this will also help.

Yes but in addition to social programmes we need more shelters so that this isn’t an issue to begin with.

Yes but if they choose to be homeless and unemployed then there should be limits on what resources are available to them for free

Yea but only for a short period where public officer should assist them and convince them to go to shelters

Homeless shelters need to be patrolled better to ensure the safety of the individuals. Often homeless individuals would rather take their chances on the streets than sleep in a homeless shelter

If we have an act in place to deal with homelessness, fund the sector properly and don’t rely on charities.

No, but the government should spend more to address the fact that homeless people get harassed and bullied by other homeless people in shelters. And tax the super rich to pay for it

They should first question homeless people why they are refusing these shelters and housing then tackle and come up with solutions based of those answers. For example, some shelters may have restrictions such a curfews which homeless people and anyone in there position may not like.

Create more shelters or housing for homeless individuals. With support programs and rehabilitation systems.

These individuals are more likely to have mental health issues and should be put in institutions that can aid in helping them back into a functioning member of society

Yes but if they refuse programs to educate, integrate and accommodate then they could be considered “lost causes”

Wow, this question is worded to suggest homeless individuals ' refuse' shelter or housing'. Shame on you!

Yes, but in approved areas not streets and doorways. Should have access to mental and physical health support.

Provide safe areas for them to sleep rather than public property, as well as making food, health care, clothing available

Yes but create designated homeless areas so they can crate communities. Not outside the public eye however.

create programs to help with employment, and desirable skills for them to learn to be able to find a job

No, invest more in providing safer and better facilities for homeless and have a policy to empower them.

If they are refusing it is likely to mental health, so there needs to be more support to help them get off the streets and improve their mental wellbeing

People shouldn’t refuse available shelters but as long as they’re not hurting anyone i don’t see the problem with them sleeping in public.

No, but then their needs should be assessed to find out why they are refusing help and what other options there are.

No, I don't think it should be allowed but I also think homeless individuals deserve a lot more help than they're being given

Mostly, it should be allowed however it should be tested to ensure there are not violent offenders. I would encourage wild camping to be legalised and low cost tents to be distributed.

Setup specific areas for those for whom the offered provision is unsuitable, with amenities and support services on site.

If a homeless person is refusing shelter due to it being being unfit to live in then they should absolutely be allowed to sleep on public property

if the owner of the property allows it an the individual circumstances are understood as this is a lifestyle choice for some. Large numbers shouldn’t be allowed to camp together. Irrespective it should not be a criminal offence

Yes, but as long as they don’t have a negative influence on their surroundings through antisocial behaviour.

More suitable housing should be available..if people are suffering with mental health issues, crowded unsanitary housing isn't suitable

Yes but if it in the way of the general public then they should be moved on where they are not in the way