You might be thinking well why wouldn't someone that is sleeping on the streets want to move into a hostel? And the fret of arrest might be a good thing as it could help to convince someone to take accommodation, that can only be good for them, right. And if they don't take the offer of accommodation then they must want to be homeless.
This is definitely a point of view I have heard many times, but I have never heard any child say that when they grow up they want to become homeless, no one in their right mind would want to live on the streets. So why does someone choose to remain on the streets and not move into a hostel?
Not wanting to stereotype homeless people the vast majority either have mental health issues or drug and/or alcohol issues. This isn't necessarily why they became homeless, - there's a thousand reasons why someone becomes homeless - but it does play a factor when it comes to finding and maintaining accommodation.
Hostels can be frightening places for vulnerable people and they can also be demanding places. Most hostels are government funded and have to provide a support program for their residents which is rarely tailored to the individual, but is more of a box ticking exercise. There can also be a high level of bullying, drug and alcohol use and violence within a hostel environment, so consequently some people just don't feel safe or comfortable in that environment.
This post could go on and on with this subject and really all I have done is throw a few points into the mix to suggest that things aren't always black and white, and often we just don't see the whole picture. So, should being homeless be a criminal offense?
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