homeless problem

[sh7t man no way]

theres load of people homeless in the uk,and australia--either theve fallen on hard times,or just being unlucky--it seems a shame i think when we have the means to change this--there must be a solution to this problem surley--i know money is the key to this problem--but as a sociaty should we just egnore this suffering

[PommyPaul]

i don't think anyone has to be homeless, most that are, are wrapped up in some form of substance abuse or don't actually mind the whole lifestyle or don't know what options are open to them.
Best soulution would be regular visits to known homeless people with breif talks of their options and leaflet drops giving them details of their options.

edited to add..
any good goverment or council will know that getting a person back into the system will pay for itself through the taxes they'll end up paying, lets just hope they don't base their efforts on the individuals age as a 60 year old homeless person isn't going to bring much council profit.

[chris955]

I remember a programme last year about the homeless in Sydney and while it is true many are from abusive homes, are drug takers etc many had lost their homes as they were unable to pay their mortgage and were living in cars and tents. I know that a bank has every right to do what they do but it just seems to me that they would be better served trying to work something out with the owner rather than kicking him out and losing money when they sell the home on. There are also some that don't want to be helped and actually choose the life.

[sh7t man no way]

i agree mate theres heaps of repossesions in aus,and the uk--its a shame there isnt a saftey net in place--i know you get insurances againt this but its only short tearm,and only delays the inevitable--perhaps the banks,and goverment should look at this--i live in hope

[Quoll]

Sadly, some people find themselves homeless and not able to find appropriate accommodation. Government housing is very hard to find here and the criteria for accessing it are getting tighter and tighter (as perhaps they should in some cases) and the stock just isnt there. Housing departments are not in the least bit interested if you have even the slightest chance of couch surfing with a mate and whilst that might be OK for a single person, it really isnt the go when you have a family tagging along for the ride.

Many people are unable for whatever reason to manage the expectations of good tenancy and I know that a lot of homeless services put a lot of work into tenancy support and education but when people have raging addictions or significant mental health problems, their tenancy is often the last thing on their mind.

The Global Financial Crisis has seen a number of families in Australia lose their homes - not greatly publicised but have seen it first hand due to my current work. The difficulty for this cohort is that they have NEVER needed to ask for handouts at all and have no idea how to negotiate the bureaucracy to get what they need and they are so embarrassed at having to do it. When people contemplate suicide as their way out of homelessness (then at least the other parent will be a single parent and more likely to get gov housing!!!) then you know the situation is very tough.

Another really sad demographic seems to be the elderly person who is being booted out of their own home by middle aged children who cant see their way to accommodating mum (or dad) when they want to raise their own kids in the family home and poor old mum/dad hasnt got enough money to cope with the rental market on their pension.

Rudd was big on homelessness and millions of dollars have been given to the states with a proviso that they reduce homelessness by something like 70% within 10 years - yeah, right. They are big on rhetoric but short on actually putting people into homes that they can afford and maintain. It isnt just the rough sleepers - there are all sorts of others out there who are living in sub-optimal conditions (eg a family of 5 in a mate's garage, a family split into single persons services with the kids farmed out to grandparents etc,)

Unfortunately, Pommy Paul, you are way off the mark with this one - there are plenty of people out there who would love NOT to be homeless but who cannot find their way into appropriate accommodation. Money is the key but so also is a rejuvenation of housing stock - some people are enjoying the luxury of sub market rents on public housing when they could well afford to be out in the private rental market - however, booting people out of public housing when they can afford an alternative is also a no go.

OK will get off hobby horse now.

[Petals]

Totally agree with Quoll, single parent families find it very hard to get accommodation especially if the children are young and mother is on welfare, the agents will not look at them.

Years ago we had landlords who ran investment properties as a business and there were some for all budgets. However we now have Mr and Mrs two income who buy one or two investment properties and they are worried about having parents with children, dog or cat. What landlords forget is that this is not free accommodation and they are providing a home for someone not boarding school.

I too have this on my hobby horse. Its such a hard situation and I have seen first hand middle aged children who took money from their parents. Persuade them to go in nursing home and then sell the house, keep their bank books you name it people do it.

Also disabled people

[Happy Lass]

Just wanted to add to what Quoll and Petals had to say in that those who do care for elderly or disabled (often both) relatives also struggle. It is not easy to find out just what sort of help is available to you let alone what you may be eligible for.

Another really sad demographic seems to be the elderly person who is being booted out of their own home by middle aged children who cant see their way to accommodating mum (or dad) when they want to raise their own kids in the family home and poor old mum/dad hasnt got enough money to cope with the rental market on their pension.

I was horrified to read this. As a family we looked after two Grandparents consecutively with only the minimum of support and that was very difficult to come by. I couldn't imagine taking advantage of anyone, least of all family, in a million years.

[chalkyhill]

I often hear dreadful stories about how children treat elderly relations and it disgusts me. All because they are chasing a little bit of inheritance - I don't intend on taking a penny from my parents, I have told them to spend every penny they have on holidays and enjoying life.

I don't know much about homelessness but I did find Washington DC to be the scariest place I have ever been at night time because of the huge amount of homeless people asking for money in a menacing way. The US seems to not help the homeless at all and its pretty disgusting.