Hostels throw open doors to all the homeless (From Oxford Mail)
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Hostels throw open doors to all the homeless
6:00pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News
Homeless shelters in Oxford have been throwing open their doors to everyone on the streets to prevent anyone dying in the cold snap.
Oxford Homeless Pathways chief executive Lesley Dewhurst said: “The trigger for us is when the forecast says temperatures will drop below freezing for three nights in a row.
“In addition to a few nights at the beginning of the new year, we have opened our doors to everyone since the end of January.
“Everyone is offered a spot to sleep, along with a floor mat, a sleeping bag and some soup and a sandwich.
“It is better than nothing. Our aim is to stop anyone dying on the streets from the cold.”
About 20 extra people a night have found a place to sleep at the city’s hostels.
Comments(4)
simplicissimus
says...
11:05pm Fri 10 Feb 12
Andrew:Oxford
says...
7:46pm Sat 11 Feb 12
I've noticed that beggars are now a permanent feature on Magdalen bridge. One or two on each side.
Darkforbid
says...
10:17pm Sat 11 Feb 12
the homeless all year round?
Charging the services back to
the town of birth...┄
Why town of birth?
although some homeless beg.. Most are simply beggars, and that's always been part of city life
And yes they should, as far as i can see the reason, they do in cold weather is: Tramps found frozen to death is bad for charity funding.
Darkforbid says...
7:20pm Fri 10 Feb 12
Anyway if you feel your at risk use the place, most long term homeless are experienced at survival, last winter was much worse.. Its the ones fresh on the streets that need the help, and remember this country is now throwing people with serious mental health problems on the streets thanks Mind, Gresham housing.. While you make a fortune its up to people like me to keep them alive.