Harping On And On And On...

Southend's homeless charity is spearheading a new campaign pressing for an end to people sleeping rough on the streets.

It can only be...yes, you guessed it!

Harp has launched It’s Time, an initiative aimed at halting the number of people living on Southend’s streets.

How? 

Jackie Bliss, Harp’s chief executive, is eager to win Government backing for the charity’s efforts.

The charity is inviting people in the constituencies of Southend West and Rochford and Southend East to sign a letter to Sir David Amess and James Duddridge, asking the MPs to use their influence at national level to make a real, lasting impact on homelessness.

OK, how, exactly? There's nothing in here to say just exactly what 'the government' is supposed to do...

She added: “A return to pre-Covid levels of homelessness is unthinkable.”

Well, you surely don't expect them to be housed in hotels at taxpayer expense forever. Do you? 

'Not Much Support' Apart From The Free Housing, Free Money...?

Cllr MacCleary, who represents Newhaven, has written to Brighton and Hove City Council demanding a solution to long-running problems at the block.

“People here are isolated,” the Lewes District Council leader said. “It’s in the poorer part of Newhaven where there hasn’t been a lot of investment, it’s far away from the town centre. There are a lot of people crammed together, some of whom have been through very difficult times.

“But they don’t receive much support.”

Pardon?!?

“It’s no surprise some are engaged in antisocial behaviour when they’re left with nothing to do. People have died in there. There are ambulances outside very often.

“It’s a real embarrassment because we’re living in one of the wealthiest parts of the country and people are in this situation.”

What have those two things got to do with one another?

A city council spokesman said Kendal Court was emergency accommodation for homeless people “rather than supported accommodation”.

Shouldn't they consider themselves lucky? Maybe be grateful?

Feel The Gratitude!

Kevin Aling, 61, Gordon Wilkie, 45, and Andrew Ellis, 54, say homeless people in Brighton are crammed into temporary accommodation “like cattle” and exposed to unsafe, unsanitary conditions – something the council denies.

Kevin, who has been on and off the streets for almost 50 years, now lives in a council building on Grand Parade.

So, the taxpayer's housed him. What's his beef?

He said: “It’s like a cattle farm in there. We shouldn’t be housed in these conditions. The council’s temporary accommodation is designed to get as many people in as possible. It’s overcrowded and the council doesn’t care about our safety.”

Kevin said: “The council thinks that once we’re off the street they can wash their hands of us. What they don’t realise is that they’ve got to help keep us off the street.”

Why? They don't have to help keep everyone else off the streets, do they?

What makes you think that you deserve more than the basic help they've just given you? Which is more than most people get...

The men said people in temporary accommodation are living in squalid conditions. Kevin said the building “stinks” of urine.

“When I moved in the mattress stank – everything does”, he said. “No one in that council has been where we are. We’re treated like stuff they wipe off their shoes.

“They just can’t cope with the number of people on the street. And they’re not listening to our complaints. If they want me to go back and die on the street, I’ll do it.”

I don't know what they want, but me? I'm pretty sanguine about it...

Once Again, 'It's Only Taxpayer's Money'...

Three extra emergency shelters were launched this winter in the county, in line with Worcestershire’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), including in Malvern’s Salvation Army base in Newtown Road.

These facilities open their doors to rough sleepers when the temperature drops below zero – however, since the protocol was first put in place this winter on November 8, no-one has accessed the Malvern shelter.

Oops!

Campaign group Hugo’s Earthquake have criticised plans to launch Maggs Malvern Day Centre – which will cost £25,000 just to set up – and instead want more funding put into reinstating a “comprehensive outreach service”.

They seem to have a good case, too:

A grant application for the centre cited the 735 food vouchers redeemed from Malvern Foodbank – many of which were repeat visits – suggests more than 100 accommodated people will benefit from the pilot scheme, on top of any rough sleepers who reside in Malvern.

But Mr Jeffery said: “Foodbank use is not a reliable evidence base for street homeless numbers, so why is this used in a business case?”

Why, indeed? Is it because these things don't get proper scrutiny?

“İt is clear that there is no evidence that rough sleepers are attracted to Malvern because of services and this is backed up furthermore by no rough sleepers attending the SWEP shelters.

“The HEC does not believe a Maggs Centre is needed in Malvern, but instead we continue to call for reinstatement of the comprehensive outreach service which functions across the county,” he added.

Hard to disagree. It seems 'Field of Dreams' was wrong, sometimes you build it and no-one comes!

"We Give In To Blackmail..!"

"...which might be why Brighton is a cesspit, I dunno, it's a puzzle."

Speaking to The Argus at the Big Sleep Out, Labour’s Cllr Brennan, who joined Brighton and Hove City Council in May, said: “I want to help the rough sleeping and homeless situation.

“If it was left to me, there wouldn’t be much left in the budget.

“We are using a welfare-first strategy,

“With the tent situation, we are spending so much on enforcement but the community are the ones giving out the tents.

“Instead of eviction, they have to be having some form of support and help – what’s the point of constantly moving them on around the city?”

Ooh, I dunno, maybe giving the poor bloody voters a temporary break from stepping in human excrement on their front doorstep?

Cllr Brennan said this strategy worked with a man who had been camping on Hove Lawns for months, called “Mr Dogg”.

The rough sleeper, who lived on the protected lawns with at least eight tents, complete with a barbecue and camping chairs, has now moved into accommodation.

In August, “Mr Dogg” told The Argus that he would only move if he was given his own flat.

 And he was! Well, it beats working for it, I suppose...

Cllr Brennan said: “I would say to officers they can’t move him, they have to work with him. I was letting them know that he has rights.

“It is a more personalised approach and because I’ve known him, he has compromised.”

Where's the 'compromise' here? What about the taxpayers who are working to fund their own flats?

Cllr Brennan said: “The amount of people with needs – whether it is mental health problems or drug addiction – is rife.”

“This is a symptom of the government cuts.”

No, it's a symptom of Brighton becoming known as a soft touch for scroungers. Thanks to you. And to the idiots who vote for you.

Make no mistake - if you vote Labour today, you're voting for much, much more of this.

Bah Humbug!

A move to tackle aggressive begging and rough sleepers on Southend High Street is expected to come into force before Christmas.

Southend Council’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which promises to bring fines of £100 against rough sleepers and ‘aggressive’ beggars in the heart of Southend, has taken almost five months to be implemented but the council now says it will be in operation before Christmas.

I note they didn't say which Christmas....

...it has come under fire from rights groups who believe it will criminalise the homeless. Some residents have also questioned how people who are homeless would be expected to pay financial penalties.

Josie Appleton, director of the freedom group, the Manifesto Club, said in August that the order could “severely restrict homeless people’s ability to feed themselves and survive outside in cold weather”.

Human rights group Liberty also raised objections during the council’s public consultation, writing in a six-page letter that it would be “unlawful and unreasonable”.

Why doesn't Liberty consider that being forced to dodge aggressive junkies begging in the high street on your way to work or shop, or having to mop up human excrement or urine or used needles from your shop doorway, is 'unlawful and unreasonable', I wonder?

Trolling Level: Expert!

Well done, Southend Council!

On the day designated to draw attention to the needs of homeless people and ways those in need of help can be supported locally Southend Council left notes on belongings giving a deadline for them to be moved or they would be thrown out.

Because of another of the plethora of 'named days' that plague us now, all normal action should stop?

Who could possibly...

Oh. Right.

Zoey Smith, 35, co-founder of One Love Soup Kitchen in Southend said: “I think what the council is doing is disgusting and makes me so angry.”

*rolls eyes*

“These people need help and support.

“Two hours is not long enough for people to move their items and is completely inappropriate.”

So offer them space to put their stuff in your soup kitchen, Zoe.

“I know last year we had reports the council was removing tents and we made a fuss and the council started treating homeless people better.

“Our volunteers are also very angry about what has happened.”

Not as angry as shoppers who now have to sidestep even more of these drunk & drug-addicted parasites that seem to infest every square mile of Southend, thanks to do-gooders like you and HARP...

A spokesman for Southend Council said: “It is probably most important to stress that we work very hard to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first instance, and once homeless do all we can to provide accommodation.

“Unattended items being left in public areas has been an issue for the borough for some time and needed addressing, for a number of reasons, including safety and security.

“We keep smaller items, including bags and personal belongings for 72 hours, giving the owners time to collect them. We unfortunately cannot store larger items.”

Over to you then, Zoe, and your army of volunteers. Let's see you doing something useful, for once.

Home Furnishings You Didn't Know You Needed...

A group of homeless people who call themselves a ‘family’ have set up camp at a Plymouth park.

Around a dozen homeless people arrived at Millbay Park earlier this week, and we went to meet them. Several tents, a black leather sofa, and even a stop/go sign have been used to make the place feel homely.

A what..?

Oh....

It's About Time Part 2876328

A campaign group has voiced fresh concerns over Southend Council’s plan to introduce an order to ban begging, after national figures showed a massive increase in fines issued by local authorities.

The Manifesto Club slammed the council for “heartless penalisation” after reviewing a draft Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which could see beggars hit with fines of up to £1,000.

Hurrah! Long overdue.

But who on earth could argue against this, and why?

The Manifesto Club says that a review of the PSPOs that had been introduced show that councils are failing to abide by statutory guidance, which says the orders should not be used to target rough sleeping or restrict the use of public spaces.

Guidance is just that. You don't have to take it.

Josie Appleton, director of Manifesto Club said the order is "firmly targeted at the homeless community", adding: “They would be unable to ask the public for money, which is in many cases the only way they can eat and survive. They cannot put up tents overnight in order to protect themselves from winter cold, nor can they enjoy a quiet drink on a bench.

“They are not allowed to sleep in a public place if others believe that this has a ‘detrimental impact’ on the quality of life of others. The truth is that the real ‘detrimental effect’ will be on the quality of life of homeless people – a community which, more than others, requires our help, rather than such heartless penalisation.”

All Josie cares about is 'the rights' of homeless people - ordinary taxpayers can just pay through the nose for services these parasites mostly scorn.

Well, we've had enough. And we've made it clear to the council.

A council spokesperson said: “The reasons why a PSPO is needed as an additional tool to tackle persistent and unreasonable anti-social behaviour, was outlined when we launched the PSPO consultation in January.

“The consultation ended in March and we are still collating the results, before drafting a report to be compiled and presented to cabinet.”

Southend Council leader John Lamb has also defended the PSPO proposal, stating in a cabinet meeting at the end of last year that it would not curb people’s liberties but ensure they “act in a way where they respect other people’s liberties”.

Your pets aren't welcome on the streets any more, Josie. You want them? House a few yourself.

Killing With Kindness

The chief executive of a leading homeless charity says “well-meaning people” who give money to beggars are fuelling the drug and alcohol addictions of those on the streets.

Ooh! Controversial!

Andy Winter, from Brighton Housing Trust, said the main challenge is the city’s tolerant attitude to begging.

He said giving money was a “disincentive to seeking and accepting help”. He said that with the charities in the city, nobody should go hungry on the streets of Brighton.

Quite. And you'd think he'd be an unimpeachable source.

He recently met Brighton business owners who are concerned about the increasing antisocial behaviour associated with tents and encampments that have become established in the city.

Good. It's about time someone started standing up for the people who want to go about their day without being accosted by a scruffy drug addict begging for loose change.

You Get Help When You Deserve It...

Traders say homeless people camping in the city centre are bad for business as more and more tents pitch up.

At least six have been set up on the pavement in Castle Square at the bottom of North Street – yards from the one of the busiest shopping streets.

And the growing encampment is causing concern for businesses, who say antisocial behaviour is on the rise.

Naturally, this being Brighton, the tent-dwellers think this is a problem throwing money at them will solve. Hey, the taxpayer's good for it, surely?

One of the occupants, Suzie Miles, said: “It’s out of order the council are going to move us on again.

“Where else can we go? They don’t like us in doorways.

“About a week ago there were a load of tents round the back of Poundland.

“The council’s thrown them away. We don’t know what’s going to happen. We need to house people. We need help.”

Hmmm, but that 'antisocial behaviour', Suzie?

Indre Dovydaityte, who works at nearby Pret A Manger, said: “The problem is not the tents, it’s the behaviour.

“Every day, people swearing, stealing food from us, begging from our customers.

“One time they urinated on our fire escape.

“For a while we tried to be nice to them, gave them free sandwiches. We have contacted the council multiple times and the police.”

The manager of The White Company, also nearby, said: “It’s not very nice for our customers and people walking by.

“Last week there was a person passed out outside the shop with his trousers down.”

Yes, giving these people free houses will solve that. Won't it?

Is There A Split On The Cards...?

A homeless camp has been cleared after a court order was granted.

Tents and other items were taken from the illegal site off Cliff Gardens near Genting Casino by Southend Council.

Probably simply to move to another squalid encampment a few yards down the road, for the whole charade to begin again.

But there's encouraging signs that some, at least, are starting to realise the key to the issue:

Councillor Tony Cox, cabinet member for housing, said: “Our aim is to get people off the streets, into dedicated accommodation where relevant support services are on hand to tackle the complex personal circumstances that often contribute to an individual’s homelessness.

“We also recognise many of the town’s homeless are from outside the area and we first work hard to re-connect them to the communities they have left.

“This is an important area where we differ in approach from some volunteer groups, who work hard to raise funds and distribute tents to the town’s homeless.

“Encouraging homeless people to camp rather than use the dedicated homeless accommodation means that campers are not accessing the services that could turn their lives around and get them off the streets.”

It's a start. But target the biggest, not the little fish.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, VirtueSignallers...

Groups of homeless people, who reportedly do not speak English, are pitching up in North Road Cemetery, Westcliff.

It has been an on going issue and now residents are calling on the council to deal with the problem.

That's like calling on King Canute to come and solve your flood problem....

The Echo contacted Harp homeless charity for a comment.

Gosh, it's almost as if these beggars know there's an organisation dedicated to helping them stay in the Southend area, isn't it?

A Southend Council spokesman, said: “We are aware of ongoing issues at North Road burial ground, including rough sleeping and incidents of anti-social behaviour. We have been attempting to take a balanced approach to what is a difficult and complex situation.”

Well, there's your problem, then. There's no need for 'balance' and it isn't 'complex'.

“Along with serving a notice to quit to a group earlier this summer with the support of the police, various council staff members have also been attempting to engage with the rough sleepers and connect them to the many support services available locally.

Further outreach work continues to be carried out to try and connect those rough sleeping with services.

“We will continue to monitor the situation. We are also aware of littering and fly-tipping at this site and this is being dealt with by the relevant teams.”

Naturally, this brings out the bleeding hearts:

Heh!

Honeypot Attracts Pests, News At Eleven!

Residents claim not enough is being done to combat the problems in York Road, Southend, and their lives are being made a misery.

York Road. I know it. It's an utter tip.

And that's glimpses in daylight. I wouldn't venture down there after dark for all the tea in China.

Tammi Helman, who has lived in the area for eight years, says things are worse than ever and people feel intimidated outside their own homes.

The 47-year-old said: “There are tenants of the house of multiple occupancies and HARP who are making our lives hell. They hang on the grass of Toledo Road and sit on the walls of our homes.

“They are rude, disrespectful and have no consideration - drinking alcohol and smoking drugs, blasting music out to the early hours, shouting and starting fights then littering or urinating in front of everyone. Some neighbours won’t have windows open or sit outside. There used to be a lot of dog walkers and kids playing here but now everyone stays away.

“It is getting ridiculous and something needs to be done now. Residents are afraid to say anything to them.”

HARP again. Isn't it always?

Mark Flewitt, Southend councillor for public protection, praised HARP’s work and insisted security measures were in place and the council was working with police.

Time this councillor was given the bum's rush, for his support of the bums over the rights of ordinary citizens.

Jackie Bliss, HARP Chief Executive, said: “The idea that all street drinkers in the area are people who have been turned away from HARP is simply not true. We have an active security team at the Bradbury Centre, and in the rare instances where a decision is made to deny access due to intoxication, this is done with the safety of other service users, volunteers and staff in mind.”

Not, you'll note, the safety of the poor long-suffering residents of York Road. Still, at least they can comment on the story to refute the...

Oh!

Looking A Gift Horse In The Mouth, And Demanding A Unicorn

A former rough sleeper claims he lived off takeaways after moving into a property without a cooker last year.

Mathew Hatch-Diespecker, aged 29, said Fortis Living failed to refit his kitchen. He claims that left him with a shoddy kitchen with a layout that doesn't allow him to install both a cooker and a washing machine.

He says he ate fast-food for five months until he managed to install a cooker, and is still living without a washing machine.

You used to live on the streets. Isn't this better? I'm pretty sure you didn't have a cooker and a washing machine next to your park bench either!

Mr Hatch-Diespecker, of Rodborough Drive, Worcester, said: "It's making me feel down about everything.

"The kitchen is meant to be the heart of the home and if the heart is not working properly how's the rest of the body meant to work properly.

"When I moved in a year ago I was told I was due to have a few things updated in my house. None of it has been done to date.

"They said the kitchen was meant to be fitted up-to-date within two months of me moving in.

"I am frustrated that they have failed to provide the correct layout as it means I am unable to have both a cooker and a washing machine."

The sheer ingratitude is enough to make you weep. Or kick something.

He added: "Before I got the cooker in I had to get food every day, it was costing me money and it was an inconvenience. I had to pretty much live off takeaways."

Luckily, Mr Hatch-Diespecker was able to get a cooker from his father, who lives in Thailand, in October. However he still has no washing machine.

He said: "My grandmother's currently helping me do washing. She collects it from me.

"If I can't get in touch with her I have to go to the laundrettes in town and it costs me about £2.50 per load. It's too expensive."

What else do you have to spend your money on then? Oh, wait, my mistake. OUR money!

Mr Hatch-Diespecker, who suffers from epilepsy and fibromyalgia, was made homeless in 2013, after suffering a mental breakdown and falling behind on rent. He said his current situation is playing on his mental health.

I'm pretty sure their must be far more deserving cases out there. Perhaps another spell of rough sleeping would adjust his attitude somewhat?

Good, There's One Less...For A While, At Least.

Mark Pearson, 47, of Grampian Flats, Balmoral Road, Westcliff, returned to begging after breaching a criminal behaviour order.

The order, which was put in place in November, prohibited him from begging. Yet Pearson was seen outside the entrance to the Co-Operative store in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, asking people for money on January 28 this year.

And he didn't confine his offences to just begging, either:

In the aftermath Pearson turned violent and attacked PC Marc Cann and was subsequently charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.

And was bailed. You can guess what happened next, can't you?

Pearson was also charged with an additional count of assaulting a police officer after he assaulted PC Northcott on February 26 in Basildon - an offence he committed while on bail for the original charges.

/facepalm

Pearson denied all four charges and refused to attend the courtroom - and instead insisted on staying inside his cell. The court found him guilty in his absence.

In any other country, he'd have been dragged into the dock in chains. Why are we so supine?

Pearson was sentenced to four months in prison for assaulting PC Cann - and two months for assaulting PC Northcott to run consecutively.

It was decided there would be no separate penalty for breaching the order.

Then what the hell was the point in applying for it?

New Vs Old...

New policing:

Torbay police inspector Si Jenkinson said: 'The dangerous practice of "outing" people as professional criminals based on often unverifiable information fails to acknowledge the very complex vulnerabilities and chaotic lives of those concerned.'

Old-style policing:

Officers have stated there are no genuine rough sleepers in Ely, Cambridgeshire, and are concerned the 'homeless' are misleading people.

Sergeant Phil Priestley said: 'There are no rough sleepers in Ely - all of the individuals that have been seen begging recently have been catered for with regards to housing and support.'

Spot the difference?

Who would you rather have looking after your streets?

Oh, We're Listening, All Right...

...it's just that we all know you're talking utter bollocks:

Ed Willis, 27, a rough sleeper on St James’s Street, said: “It’s got to the point where I’d rather die on the street than live in a hostel.

“I can’t even live in my home town.

“I sit here with a razor blade cutting myself and people just walk past. How much does one person have to suffer for people to care?

“I blame everyone in authority - even the Queen.”

 Of course you do....

He said the main reason homelessness is on the rise in the city is that rough sleepers are increasingly moving to Brighton from other cities.

Of those spoken to, two were from Blackburn, one from Newcastle and another from Glasgow.

Because Brighton is attractive to them. Why would they come otherwise? So there must be lots of people listening.

You Keep Using That Word 'Unfounded'...

...I don't think it means what you think it means!

Plans have been approved for “urgently needed” accommodation for homeless people.

Castle Point Council approved the plans to build the home on land off Hatley Gardens, Benfleet, at the recent development control committee.

The multi-accommodation home would contain nine flats, and be used for short term accommodation for people who would otherwise be homeless or in bed-and-breakfast accommodation paid for by the council.

Neighbours can't be happy!

A host of concerns were raised by residents to the plans, mainly focussing on fears over a rise in crime and antisocial behaviour.

Well, quite! What does the council have to say?

In relation to those concerns, planning officers said: “Concern over crime and antisocial behaviour are based on unfounded assumptions about the behaviour of the future occupants of the building.”

Residents also raised issue with a loss of parking, but the development proposes one parking space for each unit plus a further space which for use by the on-site member of staff, which meets the council’s standards.

It's not like the council has to trawl back years to find instances where their expectations for a site of this nature haven't borne fruit, either! So the planning officers choice of words is an odd one.

Except when you factor in that they won't be living near this place themselves, that is...

It's Called A Fait Accompli....

Chaucer House, in Chestnut Grove, Southend, has been converted from a women’s refuge to general accommodation for the borough’s homeless. However, some residents in the area have voiced concerns.

Which they would have voiced a lot sooner, if they'd only had the chance to do so.

They are upset they were not consulted and claim the new facility is attracting antisocial behaviour, excessive rubbish and parking problems.

Given the issues they cause in the high street, it's hardly surprising!

Traci Dixon, group manager for Support Services at South Essex Homes, said: “We have arranged a meeting to discuss these issues.

Why didn't you arrange one to discuss the conversion? Because you knew the rough ride you'd get!

“We will also use this opportunity to reassure the community that, while we feel there is no need for concern or alarm, any antisocial behaviour reported to us will be investigated and managed appropriately.

“Alongside these general concerns, issues around car parking and rubbish at Chaucer House have also been raised by residents which we are looking to resolve very soon.

“We would encourage local residents to attend this meeting - being held on Tuesday, November 28 at 7pm in the Civic Centre - to discuss any issues they may have.”

The usual do-gooders infest the comments to accuse the residents of NIMBY behaviour, but they didn't object to the women's refuge, as pointed out in a comment rebuttal:

I wonder where Traci Dixon lives..?