There's A Way Out Of That Hopeless, Homeless Situation

Several MCM projects endeavour to engage with homeless people for the sake of the Kingdom. Here, Lydia Gibson helps us to understand homelessness, its causes and, most importantly, how we can help.

 

What Is Homelessness?

This is not as easy as just saying that it's someone without a home. There are many people who fall under the label of homeless, including those living in overcrowded or unfit homes. A statutory definition included in Section 175 of the 1966 House Act defines people as homeless if they:

• Have no accommodation in the UK or elsewhere
• Cannot secure entry to accommodation
• Are threatened with homelessness within the next 28 days
• Have no accommodation which is reasonable for them to occupy

As well as these criteria, there is another decision that has to be made in order to find someone new accommodation. This is whether they are in priority need or not. They are classed as priority need if:

• They have children or if they or anyone in their household is pregnant They are vulnerable due to illness or disability
•   They are 16 or 17 (or under 21 if they have been in care)
•   They are vulnerable due to time spent in an institution

If their homelessness is considered intentional, the local authority has fewer obligations.

 

How Do People Become Homeless?

There are many situations that can lead to a person to becoming homeless. The most common are:

• The break-up of a marriage or relationship
• The loss of a job, leading to the repossession of a home or inability to pay rent
• An addiction to, or abuse of, prescribed or illegal drugs or alcohol, or even gambling

It could happen to any of us: homeless people come from all walks of life and social backgrounds. Not all of them sleep rough on the streets; many are insecurely housed, living in bed and breakfasts, short-stay hostels or sleeping on friends' floors (www.passage.org.uk).

Helping people who have become homeless is not always easy, and some even refuse help. This may be because their trust in people has been destroyed, often as a result of systematic emotional or physical abuse, or it may be because they have built up strong relationships with other homeless people. Once such relationships are established, it can be hard to break away and seek help with re-housing. (www.passage.org.uk).

 

How Can We Help?

1. Rarely, if ever, give money to a homeless person. Too often, this cash is converted to drugs or alcohol. If the person is hungry, buy them a sandwich and a beverage instead of giving them the cash.
2. Talk to the person with respect. Talking to a homeless person in a friendly, respectful manner can give them a wonderful sense of civility and dignity. Being neighbourly gives the person a weapon to fight the isolation, depression and paranoia that many homeless people face.
3. Recognise that homeless people (and their problems) are not all the same. The homeless are as diverse as the colours of a rainbow. The person you meet may be a battered women, an addicted veteran, someone who is lacking job skills...the list goes on.
4. Share God's love whenever you can. If Jesus were walking the earth today, He would certainly spend time with the homeless. He would speak with them, heal them and help them. Today, Jesus chooses to work through those who believe and follow Him.
5. Pray for the homeless. Exposure to the elements, dirt, occasional violence and lack of purpose all drain years from a person's life. God can use your prayers to bring many of the broken to Him.
6. Take precautions for your own safety. Some living on the streets are criminals and fugitives running from the law. Always be prudent while talking with street people. Stay in areas where other people can see you. Don't take unnecessary chances.
7. Encourage the homeless to get help through your local Mission. Some Christian organisations and missions offer immediate food and shelter to the homeless through their emergency shelters. Many offer long-term rehabilitation programmes that deal with the root causes of homelessness.
8. Support your local Mission. Most missions receive little or no Government funding. They are supported by caring individuals, churches and grants.

This page contains the latest article from our Clearcall newsletters. The articles are usually about issues faced by the MCM team on a daily basis. With these articles we aim to better inform readers about the real people behind the problems, and help supporters of our work to have an insight into the life of a missionary with MCM. If you would like more information on how to receive Clearcall, then please contact us.