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.
He's saying that because he doesn't want the money to go directly to the people on the streets, he wants it to go through his pocket first
ReplyDeleteWe've had the same round here: Don't give to beggars, give it to us and we'll decide how it should be spent
Just last week I met a genuine “Brighton business owner” who is desperate for staff. Nothing exciting, production line stuff, but an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. He has offered several homeless people on the street jobs and support. Guess how many have taken him up on it?
ReplyDeleteWhile I still like Bill's place, the best sight in Brighton is the arrival of a No 29 bus at the stop by St Peters, taking me home to Kent...
ReplyDeleteWhile my considered view is that beggars should be birched, and rough sleepers pushed off into a suitable shed for the night, I can't help but be sorry for some of them in the wettest and coldest weather. The sight of genuine suffering under such conditions softens even my sternest resolve.
ReplyDeleteIn the summer, the blighters can just get on with it as far as I'm concerned, but in the winter, I may well donate a hot drink or some food, but never money. I don't find it difficult to live with those two opposite vies.
"...he wants it to go through his pocket first"
ReplyDeleteOh, indeed. But even a stopped clock, and all that...
"He has offered several homeless people on the street jobs and support. Guess how many have taken him up on it?"
There's one that sits under the railway bridge over Southend high street with a 'will do any sort of paid work' sign. Yet since he's always there, no-one must offer him any.
That's the only explanation. Isn't it?
"...the best sight in Brighton is the arrival of a No 29 bus at the stop by St Peters, taking me home to Kent..."
It used to be lovely. Like so many English seaside towns.
"...but in the winter, I may well donate a hot drink or some food, but never money."
It's in the winter, though, that there are more opportunities and shelters!