European Union Homeless Dying on London Streets.

:: By Alistair Murray ::

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Homeless people from EU (are) dying in London. The recent cold

weather has taken a heavy toll on London's homeless and destitute

people from the EU. There have been several deaths as a result of the

denial of help from statutory services. This week's Pavement carried

a short piece about a young Polish man called Krzystof Marszalek who

died of a drug overdose in a toilet cubicle at Victoria. The day before he

had visited the A&E dept. at St. Thomas' Hospital. He joins the growing

list of those who have died on the streets or in church yards denied

help from homelessness agencies because they are not entitled to

benefits. This is an intolerable state of affairs. Why cannot people

who are clearly homeless and vulnerable receive the help they so

desperately need, regardless of their nationality?

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The main source of help for people in this situation is volunteers

in churches and church linked drop-ins, shelters and soup runs

which do not have to exclude poor, homeless and hungry people

just because they do not receive state benefits.

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The partnership between Barka and the Broadway Day Centre

in Shepherds Bush is another practical solution, working with the

visionary support of LB Hammersmith and the Polish Senate. An

example of a positive alternative to living (and dying) on the streets

of London. I understand that the funding for their vital work is un-

likely to continue unless other London local authorities and partners

can be found. Can you lobby your local council and MP to create

more solutions like this in your area? Related info:

NCVO workshop on the impact of EU migration on voluntary services

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[Disclaimer: The opinion(s) herein by the above named author(s) is their's alone

and is not necessarily the reflection and/or the opinion of thebiggerissue.org]

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HOMELESS STEVE REPLIES ...

> hi alaistar..and if you are homeless,like myself with a partner,

you,ve got no chance,of getting into a shelter together,because

its for single homeless,and all they will do..outreach workers..is

to split up..to get into a hostel..we live in the 21st century.and

its about time the vouluntary sector got to grips with this..

instead of turning a blind eye,for the sake of money, we are

human beings not commoddities..regards; Homeless on the

streets of London, with a partner who has a health problem,

and not happy about it.. steve <

***

Further comments and insight from Steve:

Alastair, it would appear that a lot shelters,daycentres,

have a strong church based background,example the

Passage in Victoira,support workers are based there,as

well other workers to help you,WHY!! does this stop the

moment you say that you have a partner,sorry we can,t,

wont help,we can if you leave,or split up from your partner..

is this the way forward for anyone,does this mean the

church based orrganisation does not belive in marriage,

so if this is the case its better to live in sin..also what

happened to family christian/catholic values

regards steve..

***

[Perhaps, Steve you would like to write a full piece

for the biggerissue.org on the issues you raise re-

garding the homeless with married partners and

what you've personally experienced yourself?

If so, please simply post your article to

thebiggerissue@k.st.]