Official count of number of People sleeping on the streets

[al**bear]

So the OFFICIAL Government count of the number of People sleeping on the streets in Birmingham is 22, even though in the last three years 54 people have died on the streets in that City.

So we keep hearing that the number of homeless is now a lot lower than it used to be

The reason for the fall, could have been explained in a news report yesterday, about people sleeping on the streets in that City.

An Official tours the City at 11pm,

He only counts the people He see's actually curled up in their sleeping Bags/cardboard ASLEEP.

6, 8, 10 People talking in a doorway in their sleeping bags DON'T count, nor is anyone who wakes up, when the official approaches

Also all the others who won't got their 'Spot' until after the Public go home aren't counted either, nor are the  people sleeping in derelict properties.

Like a lot of the things this Government does, if they can't or won't solve the Problem,

They just change the statistics

[upthecreekyetagain]

Most peole don't have a mental breakdown. most people don't get made redundant, most people can read and write, most people aren't alcoholics, most peopke aren't drug addicts, most people aren't homeless.  Applying your logic none of those who are any of the previous are not worth helping.  A very sad view of life.

As for the 900 foot deep well then revisit the thread where you suggested that because historically villages in England dug their own wells then those in Africa should do the same.

[cee-dee]

You're destroying your own argument by inventing things that were not said. I don't recall mentioning anything about 900 foot deep wells and anyway, the deepest well in England that I'm aware of is 350 feet dug in the 13th century and that was on a rocky crag. Wells dug by villagers were not very deep, certainly nowhere near 900 feet.

[Anonymous]

Some of those living on the street actually prefer to be with the others of similar ilk and for those too, you could give them a home which would soon end up being like a place on the street.

And you know that HOW?

[cee-dee]

My word, nice attitude there.

By reading news reports, court cases, newspaper articles and watching TV investigations/documentaries.

[fallen-archie]

You are suggesting therefore that all individuals regardless of circumstance should be entirely responsible for their own welfare. That to use your analogy they should fight whatever demons, diseases or disabilities they have and stand on their own two feet or indeed one if they happen to be amputees. That all beings are essentially of equal ability and should therefore have an equal chance to survive. Unless of course what you really wish to see is survival of the fittest, Natures tried and tested way, cull the weak, put down the elderly and punish the innocent.
There is no doubt that some take advantage of our welfare state, A fact most rightly disagree with, Surely though a more altruistic approach is the mark of a caring society and that we should applaud.

[Anonymous]

Nothing wrong with my attitude CD.

I have had personal involvement with teenagers and young adults that have been homeless and the struggles they face even to get a roof over their heads. I also have had personal involvement with the issues that got them to live on the streets in the first place.

Not all that straight forward as you might think. It's not some life choice; it's sometimes better than the alternative they would have to live with. If someone chooses the dangers of living on the street over a family home then you need to ask yourself WHY.

What you see on the telly and read in the media is often very different than the reality.

Even the "help" offered is not of the standards that you might hope. So the problem that these people have to face is much more complex than you think.