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With winter firmly on our doorsteps and temperatures dipping into the minus degrees, homelessness is an even more pressing issue.
According to a report by the charity Crisis, rough sleeper numbers have grown from 2010 to 2013 by 37 per cent in England, and the Scottish government reported that in 2015 there were 8,779 homeless applications to local authorities in September alone.
Last week, footage emerged of an anti-homelessness ramp – referred to as “hostile architecture” - being built on the steps of the former Bank of England building in Liverpool.
Picture: North West Tonight/screengrab
One homeless man was asked about what he thought, and he told North West Tonight:
It’s poor, isn’t it? What are they doing to help us? Nothing.
A passerby called the move "disgusting":
That’s not the solution to homelessness. Where are they going to go?
Picture: North West Tonight/screengrab
People who spoke to the Liverpool Echo were similarly appalled:
It’s hard enough being homeless in the city, particularly with the way the weather is at the moment and to take away one of the places where the homeless feel safe and be able to have some shelter from the weather, it’s not great. Particularly when no one is using it at the moment.
Another called it a “scar” on the face of Liverpool and a third person emphasised the need for aid:
Stopping them sleeping somewhere is probably good because it brings up the area. But give them somewhere else – give them an opportunity for somewhere else to sleep. Spending money on that, as the owner of the building – have bit of a contribution to have something else sorted for people – take care of people, don’t just leave it like that.
Picture: North West Tonight/screengrab
Liverpudlians' anger reached a crescendo, and two days after the ramp appeared, many people gathered by the steps in a peaceful protest.
Paul Donegan was one of the people who helped set up a soup kitchen outside the anti-homeless ramp.
He told indy100 it came as a collective response by “outraged locals, volunteers and local activists”.
We were handing out sleeping bags, hot and cold food, and drinks. The removal of the ramp had nothing to do with us but given the level of anger over it, it was bound to happen.
They set up a table with hot drinks and food for the homeless.
Liverpool City Council denied commissioning the ramp, and said that they were "led to believe" that it was built by the letting agent, Mason Owen, on behalf of the owner. However, Mason Owen denied this when speaking to the Echo.
A spokesperson for Mason Owen told indy100:
We are not making any comment on that.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the ramp was "partially destroyed", however the identity of the person - or people - who did it are unknown. Whether the ramp will be re-installed remains unclear.
The council says it is committed to preventing people from sleeping rough, and there are 750 beds available for homeless people at any one night in the city. Additionally, they are also part of the No Second Night Campaign, who provide rapid response to new rough sleeping.
Were you part of the group handing out food and hot drinks? Please get in touch - email narjas.zatat@independent.co.uk or tweet @indy100.
How to donate to The Independent’s Christmas Appeal
The Independent’s Homeless Helpline appeal is raising money for the Centrepoint Helpline, a brand new support service that will save young people from ending up on the streets.
To donate you can:
Call: 0300 330 2731
Text: HOME66 £5 to 70070
Post:
Freepost RTKC-JRGU-ZYGT
Centrepoint
40-42 Phoenix Court
Hawkins Road
Colchester
CO2 8JY
More: This 'Homeless' Muslim man received an amazing response from strangers
More: Images from around the world capture the hardships of being homeless
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