I’ve been working with homeless people for the last 30 years, writes Jackie Carpenter at Derventio Housing Trust.
During that time, enormous leaps forward have been made.
We’re now able to do much better for those who – for whatever reason – find themselves without a home.
When I started out, if you slept rough there were far fewer options.
If you could find a night shelter, you were lucky. And if there wasn’t space, you were likely back on the streets again. If you could get in, while the welcome was warm, the beds and supper useful and the staff caring, the facilities were often basic.
I’m happy to see that successive Governments have made funding streams available for councils and social landlords to be able to improve what we offer to people who find themselves homeless.
What we do isn’t perfect of course, but I’m proud to be working for an organisation providing a roof for those who have lost theirs.
There is more to be done. We desperately need to build more houses to free up the marketplace, and we need more homes for social rent. There are people who are ready for a tenancy but we can’t find them one.
But, all in all, it’s pleasing to see that in the past 30 years, progress has been made. No-one likes to see the world go backwards.
But when it comes to society’s attitudes towards the homeless?
Quite frankly, they are still in the dark ages.
I’ve been appalled recently by some comments that I’ve seen on news sites from people who seem to feel justified in hurling abuse at those who have been honest in their stories as to how they came to lose their home and need help.
I’ve also heard terrible tales about people who’ve put their heads above the parapet and bravely told their story only to be attacked verbally in the street.
Just what is this all about?
At the organisation I work for, we listen and help people who have gone through some tough situations – without judgement.
Many residents say that is a very important thing we do for them.
Listening. Without judging.
Because none of us are perfect. I know I’m not. We all need a little mercy at times. And wagging the finger, being paternalistic, and telling people how to live their lives, none of these ever help. This just alienates. It’s certainly not the way to help someone who has lost their home, and may also have become estranged from friends and family.
What helps people is having someone to stand alongside them, share knowledge, listen and offer support. No judgement. Instead, compassion and a big dose of positive energy.
Yes, we need to be firm sometimes. People have to know there are rules and if they break them there are consequences. I sometimes say support can be a hand to hold, an arm round your shoulders – or a nudge, when needed.
But we never judge someone for getting into the situation they come from. Some grew up in families that didn’t or couldn’t give them what they need. Some people’s lives fell apart after a bereavement or losing their job. Yes, some have done wrong, maybe come out of prison into our accommodation; but they have served their time according to the law. And everyone deserves a second chance.
But judging from many comments that people still make, that doesn’t seem to be society’s view.
Residents in our housing who choose to tell the media about the positive trajectory they’re now on after their life ended up spiralling downhill deserve plaudits for being willing to speak out.
They’re not asking for sympathy. They’re being honest about mistakes they’ve made. By sharing their story they are doing great things in letting others know that even when life looks grim, better times may be round the corner.
They absolutely do not deserve to be attacked through anonymous comments on news sites that are incredibly hurtful. This has happened more than once. It can leave people in tears for days on end.
When someone tells their story in the media, it would be nice to see the positives celebrated.
It would also be great to see headlines that highlight the positive aspects of stories from formerly homeless people, not the past they would rather put behind them.
Becoming homeless is something that could happen to anyone, no matter how secure we may like to think we are.
What we do doesn’t just help individuals, either. The whole community benefits. No one enjoys seeing people sleeping on the streets of the place they call home. By providing people with accommodation in their hour of need, organisations like ours – working with councils – create a better environment for everyone.
I hope that anyone considering writing hurtful, judgemental and ignorant comments on a news story about someone who is bravely sharing their homeless story might think again.
Their comments may cause more damage than they know. And people who have been homeless have already been damaged enough.
