Because the line is thinner than you think. Imagine your landlord selling your flat, or a surprise bill wipes out your savings. Suddenly, you’re sofa-surfing at Aunt Sue’s, then at your mate’s garage. That’s “hidden homelessness,” and it’s a lot more common than you’d guess. It’s like a game of musical chairs, but the music stops and there aren’t enough chairs.
Illegal homeless camps unacceptable at heart of London as Oxford Street
When laws focus on behaviour rather than the person, it can accidentally criminalise people who are just trying to survive. And that’s bad for everyone, because a society that punishes misfortune is like a café that charges for using the loo—technically fine, but a bit mean-spirited. We all benefit when people have safe places to sleep and access to help.
A little story to make you smile
I once met a chap named Dave who slept in a bus shelter for three months. He wasn’t breaking any laws, but a local shopkeeper brought him tea every morning. One day, a police officer asked Dave to move because the shelter had a schedule—but instead of a ticket, the officer gave him a lift to a shelter with a bed. Kindness isn’t illegal, and neither is being human.
Dave’s story is proof that the law isn’t the problem; it’s how we treat each other. The legal system is there to protect everyone, including people who fall through the cracks. But it’s also a mirror: if we see homelessness as a crime, we’re looking away from the real issues like rising rents and mental health support.
