According to Bradford Speak Out:
“Four out of ten of single homeless people have squatted at some point, so Government plans to criminalise squatting risk hitting the most vulnerable.
Of course homeowners have to be protected and current laws should be enforced. But plans to criminalise people squatting in derelict buildings would penalise many who have no other option. We think that ministers need to focus on the root causes of homelessness, not its consequences.”
I think it also bolsters the point from last week’s blog about rough sleeper numbers: http://simonfoundation.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/rough-sleeper-numbers/ that the nubers don’t really matter, what’s inportant is how able we are to engage and support people in all areas of life and not simply their housing. Our work has seen us over the years supporting many people who were sleeping in derelict buildings who have have been far more vulnerable than some people sleeping out in the open air.
[...] on the Streets asks “Is Squatting Sleeping Rough?“; and it’s a valid question as the colition government is prepping legislation to [...]
[...] Is squatting sleeping rough? asks Leeds-based Simon on the Streets blog. [...]