Money Blog: James Dyson, one of Britain’s richest men, calls Budget ‘vicious’

by Bhvishya Patellive news reporter

We are in the midst of a homelessness crisis.

For the second year in a row, England reported an increase in frequent sleep. An estimated 3,898 people were homeless overnight in the fall of 2023, a 27% increase from the previous year.

The figures show that the number of people sleeping rough is 61% higher than 10 years ago and 120% higher than when data collection began in 2010.

And while most people are aware of the harsh realities rough sleepers face, especially as the colder months roll in, there remains confusion about how to help.

Some people are concerned that providing cash directly will only provide temporary relief; others argue that there is nothing wrong with offering a break.

Another argument against direct money transfer is that it can increase dependency, but is this risk overstated?

Even charities are divided on the best way to help.

The Salvation Army has previously said the cash handover directly risks “trapping” people into an “endless cycle” of homelessness and rough sleeping.

Speaking to Money, the charity’s director of homelessness services, Nick Redmore, said the root causes of homelessness are complex, but are often the result of relationship breakdown, mental health problems, addiction or childhood abuse.

He said: “Members of the public have a right to be concerned and we applaud anyone who tries to help when they see another person in dire circumstances.

“Giving money to a person sleeping on the mountain is a personal choice, but it will only help alleviate their immediate need. Unfortunately, that won’t stop his sleep.”

In researching this article, we surveyed thousands of LinkedIn followers, and the results show that the public is reluctant to hand over cash…

“I’ve Been There – Here’s Why You Should Give Cash Directly”

Lee Fontaine, homelessness manager at charity St Mungo’s, has been homeless for around four months after being quickly evicted from a property he rented around 10 years ago.

Now, a decade later, the 38-year-old said giving money to a homeless person is a choice, but it’s “a really great opportunity to have a human connection”.

He said: “I don’t think giving someone £2 or £3 will solve the problem of homelessness, but it will give someone a break and a break during a really tough time.

“Sometimes giving someone a little money here or there can help ease the pressure of life on the street.

“I don’t think people always understand how hard it is to live on the streets.

“When I was homeless, I spent several nights before I could approach any people. When you feel homeless, you feel unworthy and it robs you of your humanity. It is very embarrassing to ask for help.

“A lot of the time I’ve met people who have been rude or dismissive and may have made some of these judgments about drugs and alcohol at you.

“For the few people who gave me money and engaged in conversation with me, it was really humane.”

Lee said that while it’s not a myth that homeless people can use cash for booze and drugs, those who are concerned about how their money will be spent can donate to a regulated homeless charity instead.

He added: “I think it would be a lie to ignore the fact that a large number of homeless people are still struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, but it’s an addiction, it’s an illness and it needs support.

“And people with addictions shouldn’t be a barrier to helping people who need it.”

Geoff Hawkins, 56, became homeless 11 years ago and now lives in a Salvation Army home in Warrington.

He said the idea that giving money to homeless people fueling alcohol and drugs is unfair.

“I’m not saying there weren’t people who did it… but the people I met on the streets were just in the worst situation of their lives,” he added.

“Donating food or charity is the best way to help”

Claire Sullivan of Trinity Homeless Projects in London said there was “no right or wrong” when it came to choosing whether to give money directly to homeless people on the street.

“If you want to buy someone food, buy them food,” she said.

Ms Sullivan said it was also worth asking those sleeping if they were getting any help.

“You can be their first conversation of the day, and you can be their biggest support network just by offering to help,” she added.

“It’s a controversial conversation with money and my answer is this: if you’re going to give money to someone who’s homeless, give it to a charity like ours because £10 goes a long way.”

Ms Sullivan said £10 could provide 10 people with food, new pillows or bed linen.

When it comes to other costs, emergency accommodation costs around £400 a week and supported accommodation around £250 a week, she added.

“It really could have been you”

Jeff and Lee shared their own stories of homelessness in hopes that people will understand that it can happen to anyone.

Geoff said he was an “everyday person” before he lost his job and things “went awry”.

The father of five, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arthritis, worked as a city employee for more than 35 years.

After a medical examination at work, his health was deemed too poor and he was forced to leave the job. This led to the breakdown of his 20-year marriage and struggles with mental health.

With no savings, Jeff was suddenly “homeless and sleeping in a tent” before eventually finding a place in a Salvation Army hostel.

“I went out to work and then I came home and that’s when it happened,” he said. “Everything can go down in an instant.”

Reflecting on life on the street, Jeff said: “It’s one of the worst things you can be in. Walking every night and worrying about who is behind you and who is ahead.

“During the day you think it’s terrible, but then night comes and you walk the streets freezing to death.”

Jeff said he’s in a better place now and is taking it “one day at a time.”

“I’m slowly getting there and things are looking better,” he added. “Now I’m volunteering here in the kitchen and I’m also involved in other work like picking up rubbish.”

Lee said rough sleepers often face obstacles due to lack of ID, basic documents, bank account or address.

“Once you get into that rough sleep cycle, you’re locked into it,” he said.

“It’s pretty hard to come out of it.”

Lee describes the story as “bad timing and bad luck.”

“At the time, I had just finished university and was on unemployment benefits, so I didn’t have any money for a deposit,” he said.

“I’m sure people who read this will think they’re not going to be homeless, but it was literally a three-month period of one bad event after another.

“I come from a working-class background and my family is not rich. I was estranged at the time, so there wasn’t much other support I could count on.”

Lee said he was “hidden homeless” for most of that time, couch surfing with friends and crashing warehouse parties to avoid the streets.

It only ended for him when he became unwell and ended up in the hospital.

What help is there for someone who sleeps hard every day?

Lee said a local daycare center in your neighborhood is one option, and another is to contact StreetLink. But he said that the help is not immediate.

At St Mungo’s £65 could help a frontline worker contact a person who is sleeping rough and £29 could help provide essentials for someone in a St Mungo’s hostel.

“I think homelessness is 100% solvable,” he said.

“I think what happened during the pandemic was a testament to that.

“It was very sad to see some amazing things like the COVID response hotels being eliminated after the pandemic was over. Many of these people were forced to go to the street.”

Your views on LinkedIn…

You’ve hit rock bottom… and to “help” you, I’ll choose the food and drink I give you, thus removing any choice you have left. Something like forcing foods on people at a food bank that they are allergic to, or giving refugees clothes that don’t fit. Give people some dignity. It is up to them what choices they make with the help they are given.

Business Director Kathy Barnes

A person can only eat so many sandwiches in a day…at least take the time to talk, ask how you can help and if the person is hungry ask what they want…don’t think.

First Aid Instructor Karen Bickmore

I believe that giving them your time, kindness and support is the best way to help. In general, they need a large number of different forms of assistance. Money will be part of it, but it’s not necessarily the best way to help.

Business owner Julie Braccon

Who are we to choose how they spend the money you gave them? C.S. Lewis was right (in his famous quote) – he emptied his pockets and gave everything to a homeless man, and when he left, his friend challenged him: “You shouldn’t have given this man all that money, he will only spend it for a drink.” To which Lewis replied, “Well, if I kept it, I’d only spend it on booze.” I appreciate the idea that it’s better to give food, but let’s also give them some dignity.

Allan Clark

I always offer them food. I do not offer them money. I am not suggesting that they are addicted, but sometimes their addiction is obvious. I will not participate in funding their addiction. If it was a case where I asked and they needed to pay for a room per night in a hostel, I would ask for the details of the hostel and pay directly.

Christine Holden, Foundation Director

Leave your thoughts in the comments box at the top of this page and we’ll recap them next week