Should anyone sleeping outside due to their circumstances be classed as ‘vulnerable’ for emergency housing?
Rough sleeping in England reached 8,748 people over the month in June 2026, with long-term cases at a record high. Around 12-15% of rough sleepers are veterans, with an estimated 1,300-1,500 sleeping rough. Current law requires local authorities to assess if someone is vulnerable due to old age, disability, mental illness, leaving the armed forces or other special reasons before providing priority for emergency housing.
6 Opinions
Yes, definitely if they want to be housed, some don't. It must be a terrible life, living on the street, with some shelters only opening up at Christmas and New Year. Such a mix of reasons as to why they are on the street, and vulnerable. More help for them is needed.
Cases of veterans on the streets whilst illegals get housing make me sick. Yes British people should get somewhere, even if it's a shelter to get them out of danger.
Any “housing” should be in shelters, which are an economical way to get people off the streets (large multi occupancy dorms) and identify support requirements. But if it’s a route to social housing it will be abused similar to asylum
I voted no as lots of the homeless are refugees, asylum seekers & illegals and I'd rather they be removed from the Union.. Not housed. Legit Brits should get help.
If we can fund shelters for 200,000 illegals, for sure we can take care of 10,000 rough sleeping. Scandal, one of many.
Telling someone sleeping on freezing concrete that they are not legally "vulnerable enough" to qualify for emergency shelter is bureaucratic gaslighting at its most grotesque