Do they jail the homeless in Europe? (best, people, living)

[Hwy phantom]

I was watching a documentary on the homeless in Germany and they were interviewing a homeless woman who lived in someone's garage. She said she had to be careful not to be discovered because she could get ticketed and her living situation is illegal. I was scrolling through the comments on this video and when someone asked if that was true another commenter for the Netherlands stated that they fine the homeless and after so many fines they jail them.

Is this true? I'm really curious as someone who lives in California that has homeless encampments everywhere full of people camping wherever they please, littering, doing drugs, hoarding stolen bikes, shopping carts, and more without ever being ticketed or jailed.

[drro]

No they don't. Trespassing may result in getting arrested but usually they are just chased away by the cops. Locking them up would be seen as a waste of resources.

[Brave New World]

They are usually referred to homeless organisations, charities and hostels.

Some are also referred to mental health and addiction services.

[Hwy phantom]

Originally Posted by Brave New World

They are usually referred to homeless organisations, charities and hostels.

Some are also referred to mental health and addiction services.

And what happens when they refuse these services and insist on camping in a public park or sidewalk?

[easthome]

Originally Posted by Hwy phantom

And what happens when they refuse these services and insist on camping in a public park or sidewalk?

Then they end up sleeping rough (in the UK anyway, don't forget Europe is a lot of countries each with their own laws), there are less homeless here though probably because there is more of a welfare state than in the US?

There are some w*nkers here that 'pretend' to be homeless just for the cash they can get hold of by begging, they make my blood boil. The MP for Brighton & Hove was on the TV a while back asking people not to give any homeless on the streets in Brighton any money because he claimed there were enough shelters in Brighton to house everybody, he was saying that the people on the streets begging 'very often' have a drug habit and that the money is going straight into their 'arm' and that giving money does more harm than good.
Make of that what you will.

[Brave New World]

Originally Posted by Hwy phantom

And what happens when they refuse these services and insist on camping in a public park or sidewalk?

The UK Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 placed a new duty on local authorities in England to assist people threatened with homelessness within 56 days and to assess, prevent and relieve homelessness for all eligible applicants including single homeless people from April 2018. In short, no one should be turned away.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 means that:

* all homeless people will be able to get help from their council

* councils must try to prevent people becoming homeless in the first place

* families with children will still be housed by councils if that’s the best way to help them

In terms of begging for money ad rough sleeping it is illegal under the Vagrancy Act 1824, whilst there is also Anti-Social Behaviour Legislation allowing police to move people on, as well as Civil measures from injunction through to Criminal Behaviour Orders, Community Protection Notice, Dispersal powers and Public Spaces Protection Orders.

The Police usually work with Charities and advise Homeless people as to where they can receive advice and help.

In terms of helping the homeless, the UK Government has a Homeless Strategy and even a system of Homeless Grants.

The rough sleeping strategy - GOV.UK

Government continues drive to end rough sleeping, building on success of Everyone In - GOV.UK

£316 million government funding boost to tackle homelessness - GOV.UK

Some Charities such as Crisis have suggested even greater change.

The plan to end homelessness - Crisis

The Homeless problem involves multi-agency working between Government, Local Authorities and Social Services, Charities, Housing Associations and other such groups.

For instance Homes for Cathy is a national alliance of housing associations, charities and local authorities working together to end homelessness in the UK.

Obviously a lot more needs to be done in relation to homelessness prevention in order that nobody needs to sleep rough in the first place, and other areas such as better welfare support for families and individuals, improved mental health facilities and access to beds, addiction support and helping people back in to society, all need to be addressed. However some European countries have a system that although far from perfect is better than some other parts of the world.

[irish_bob]

the homeless crisis in many countries is a result of closing down the old style Psychiatric institutions , liberals lobbied hard for this on the basis that " they were inhumane "

the truth is that some people just cannot manage in the real world and leaving them to their own devices results in them ending up either in prison or on the streets , i realise many on the streets do not fit that profile but a substantial number do