The hidden homeless are people who have economical, personal, health or drug problems, there can be many reasons for homelessness. Many of these tragic cases could have been avoided with a little extra support from the government. There are more than 400.000 homeless in the UK.

Why do people become homeless in the first place?

The most common cause is money problems followed by drug abuse, or drug abuse followed by money problems. In most cases this is a consequence of a rough childhood or other problems in early age.

I think a lot of it depends on what background people have as they are to get a job and start a family. If a person doesn’t find any support or encouragement when growing up, eventually the person will lose its spark of life and give up! I think the best way to help people off the streets is to deal with the problem even before it becomes one. This would be a better way I think because when you already have become a homeless, the authorities think of you as something that needs to be moved out of the way. They send you from institution to institution, and that won’t do much good now, will it?

What can be done to help the homeless?

To help people like these we send them to rehabilitation centers, or give them shelter in flats or rooms where they have to live with other homeless people. This is not in the long term good for their self-esteem. Unfortunately the fact is that the governments in general don’t give priority to these kinds of investments.

One thing that would be far more effective, and a lot better, would be to try to find these people even before they become homeless. And give them psychological help, and economical support. And help them figure out what they are good at, so they can get a job they are comfortable with, and have a kind of a fresh start. This is what most of the homeless people dream of, to experience a part of a dream would perhaps be a good motivation.

I think our systems need to be changed. We need more resources to help people who need support with either their psychological or economical problems. And a better offer for the people already living on the streets would be good. In the long term it will also be a good investment from an economical point of view. It’s all about reproducing labor force, and keeping people off the dole.

Try looking at the picture from the human dignity point of view it is essential to combine what you see and experience, what you think about your situation and what feelings are coming along as Ralph McTell says in his poem:

“The streets of London” - By Ralph McTell

Have you seen the old man

In the closed down market

Kicking up the papers with his worn out shoes

In his eyes you see no pride

And held loosely at his side

Yesterday's paper, telling yesterday's news.

So how can you tell me you're lonely

And say for you that the sun don't shine

Let me take you by the hand

And lead you through the streets of London

I'll show you something

To make you change your mind.

Have you seen the old girl

Who walks the streets of London

Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags

She's no time for talking

She just keeps right on walking

Carrying her home in two carrier bags.

So how can you tell me you're lonely

And say for you that the sun don't shine

Let me take you by the hand

And lead you through the streets of London

I'll show you something

To make you change your mind.

In the all night cafe at a quarter past eleven

The same old man sitting there on his own

Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup

Each tea lasts an hour, and he wanders home alone.

So how can you tell me that you're lonely

And say for you that the sun don't shine

Let me take you by the hand

And lead you through the streets of London

I'll show you something

To make you change your mind.

Have you seen the old man

Outside the seaman's mission

Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears

In our winter city the rain cries a little pity

For one more forgotten hero

And a world that doesn't care.

So how can you tell me you're lonely

And say for you that the sun don't shine

Let me take you by the hand

And lead you through the streets of London

I'll show you something

To make you change your mind.