For every homeless person in England there are seven empty homes.
(The Empty Homes Agency)
Underclass
Sadly, some people consider the homeless to be an
invisible underclass.
Many homeless people have no wish to be in that situation.
Once homeless, it is exceptionally difficult to change the situation.
Charities like The Big Issue provide an opportunity for homeless people to
believe in themselves.
By developing self-esteem, confidence and independence, they support and
encourage the homeless to improve their situation.
Poverty spiral
Caring at Christmas explain how it can be very difficult to get out of a
homeless situation:
No work means people are unable to pay for conventional lodgings.
Homeless people do not necessarily have a family home to go to.
Without a permanent base, it is hard for people to make themselves presentable.
When finding work becomes difficult and depressing, they may be tempted to find relief in alcohol or drugs and become even less employable.
Hard hearted
When Big Issue vendors or beggars hassle you in town, it is easy to become
hard hearted or rationalise the homeless situation and explain it away:
"They can afford to smoke."
"They have a dog - so they can't be so badly off."
Few things in life are logical, reasonable or deliberate
- being homeless is not a lifestyle choice.
Keep your
heart open.
Don't look for excuses to close your eyes to these people; this is
somebody's son or daughter.
This is a human being.
In a world where so many people have so much, homelessness and
poverty are
embarrassing signs of our callousness.
Worse than this are incidents where homeless people are
assaulted or
set on fire.
What kind of person could do such a thing?
Caring
Knowing that somebody cares is important to the homeless.
They have worth, they matter.
You can show your compassion financially by giving money or by taking your old belongings to
a charity shop.
Giving money to beggars is not such a good thing; charities are
better.
They will use the money constructively.
Shelter
http://www.shelter.org.uk
Groundswell
http://www.groundswell.org.uk
The Big Issue
http://www.bigissue.com
The Empty Homes Agency
http://www.emptyhomes.com
Nightstop UK
http://www.nightstop-uk.org
Homeless Link
www.homeless.org.uk
Caring at Christmas
http://www.caringatchristmas.org.uk
Have a heart...
Page created 2 January 2001