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Homelessness
Snowbird
Posts: 123 Forumite
What does it take, and how quick is it to get a homeless person off the streets?
Assuming that they are entitled to housing benefit, would it be as simple as taking the person to the council office, and asking that they be given some sort of temporary accommodation (e.g. b &b)
If the homeless person is admitted to hospital will the hospital discharge them if they have nowhere to go? I saw a woman homeless a couple of weeks ago and it was freezing. I thought she was suffering from hypothermia so I bought her some hot food and drink but afterwards I thought I should have taken her into hospital. I was worried about her and went back but she was gone.
I just thought I could have done more.
Assuming that they are entitled to housing benefit, would it be as simple as taking the person to the council office, and asking that they be given some sort of temporary accommodation (e.g. b &b)
If the homeless person is admitted to hospital will the hospital discharge them if they have nowhere to go? I saw a woman homeless a couple of weeks ago and it was freezing. I thought she was suffering from hypothermia so I bought her some hot food and drink but afterwards I thought I should have taken her into hospital. I was worried about her and went back but she was gone.
I just thought I could have done more.
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Comments
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It isn't that easy. There wouldn't be any homeless people on the streets if all they had to do was turn up at the council office to get given temporary accommodation.
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What does it take, and how quick is it to get a homeless person off the streets?
Assuming that they are entitled to housing benefit, would it be as simple as taking the person to the council office, and asking that they be given some sort of temporary accommodation (e.g. b &b)
If the homeless person is admitted to hospital will the hospital discharge them if they have nowhere to go? I saw a woman homeless a couple of weeks ago and it was freezing. I thought she was suffering from hypothermia so I bought her some hot food and drink but afterwards I thought I should have taken her into hospital. I was worried about her and went back but she was gone.
I just thought I could have done more.
Hospital??!! What for?
Do you know how much it costs to keep a person in hospital overnight?!0 -
Hospital??!! What for?
Do you know how much it costs to keep a person in hospital overnight?!
If you saw someone suffering, whether homeless or not, would you take them to hospital? I like to think that I would.
Don't blame yourself, OP; at least you showed compassion and tried to help.0 -
What does it take, and how quick is it to get a homeless person off the streets?
Assuming that they are entitled to housing benefit, would it be as simple as taking the person to the council office, and asking that they be given some sort of temporary accommodation (e.g. b &b)
If the homeless person is admitted to hospital will the hospital discharge them if they have nowhere to go? I saw a woman homeless a couple of weeks ago and it was freezing. I thought she was suffering from hypothermia so I bought her some hot food and drink but afterwards I thought I should have taken her into hospital. I was worried about her and went back but she was gone.
I just thought I could have done more.
It depends on why they are homeless.
If they elected not to pay the rent preferring to pay almost any other expense first and were subsequently kicked out then yes they aren't able to get accommodation until they've paid their arrears. They might get emergency accommodation for a short period of time but they'll soon be asked to leave.
They might be an immigrant with no access to public funds.
They also aren't given a B&B for free. They have to pay for it. It's discounted but it's not free. If someone has got substance abuse problems then paying for a roof over your head is much lower in priority.
Unfortunately it's probably mental health issues that cause many to be homeless effectively through no fault of their own. They probably aren't bad enough to qualify for ESA and don't meet the standards required to get JSA so they get nothing.:footie: Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. 0 -
RuthnJasper wrote: »If you saw someone suffering, whether homeless or not, would you take them to hospital? I like to think that I would.
Don't blame yourself, OP; at least you showed compassion and tried to help.
No, not to hospital, not unless there was something seriously medically wrong.
A hospital is NOT A HOTEL!0 -
There's an Outreach telephone number you could try...08703833333. Also have a read of the Link. :cool:
http://www.nosecondnightout.org.uk/0 -
Thanks for these replies. I think that there is a local outreach type place nearby. The next time I might just take them there. Generally though it is in the city centre and I don't usually take my car, so would have to use a taxi. I am not sure whether taxi drivers would be ok with that though. Will try though.
I know that they are not the most glamorous of charity cases, but I feel I cant just walk on by.
You do realise it is possible to die from hypothermia don't you? Or does it not matter because they are dirty, smelly and you are embarrassed to see them?Hospital??!! What for?
Do you know how much it costs to keep a person in hospital overnight?!0 -
Thanks for these replies. I think that there is a local outreach type place nearby. The next time I might just take them there. Generally though it is in the city centre and I don't usually take my car, so would have to use a taxi. I am not sure whether taxi drivers would be ok with that though. Will try though.
I know that they are not the most glamorous of charity cases, but I feel I cant just walk on by.
You do realise it is possible to die from hypothermia don't you? Or does it not matter because they are dirty, smelly and you are embarrassed to see them?
Judgmental much?!
I said a hospital is not a hotel. The person in question needs a warm place to be, not specialist medical help.
The NHS isn't free, it's struggling. And this would not be appropriate.0
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