While every individual that arrives at C4WS comes with their own set of personal circumstances, this section attempts to broadly describe the different types of people that have stayed at C4WS. The purpose of this is to give you a perspective of the kinds of circumstances many of our guests have found themselves in.

1. ‘Hidden homeless’ are those that live in hostels, squats and bed and breakfasts accommodation or stay with friends or family (C4WS will not, however, accept anyone who has hostel accommodation) Such shelter/accommodation is not suitable or secure for any individual in both the short and long term. Changes in situation or an argument with their host may result in such a person becoming street homeless. This group are in a particularly vulnerable position. We’ve had more than one street homeless guest who was given the choice of staying on the streets or ‘paying rent in kind’ by providing sex for their host.

2. Temporary homeless – such persons do not necessarily have big issues (i.e. high support needs) but have ended up without accommodation possibly due to drug, alcohol or gambling related issues. Again, when relationships break up, one partner may very suddenly find themselves without a place to stay – just at a point when they are most in need of emotional and practical support. One example is John, a former banker for Deutsche Bank. He had lost his job and following an argument with his wife, ended up sleeping in his car. His car was then stolen and he ended up at the church shelter. However, this category of guest are often very capable of getting their feet back on the ground. They often just need a roof over their head for a month or two. Another example was Bill, who was unable to pay his rent on his flat because of gambling. He therefore ended up at a church shelter where he stayed for a month and worked as a labourer during the day. At the end of the month he had enough money for a deposit on a flat.

3. Those sleeping rough who have been barred from hostels. People are often asked to leave hostels following an argument with staff. Church night shelters accommodate such people that no one else will. Many people have observed that guests at church shelters are better behaved than those in hostels. Reasons for this include:

·         the fact that all the workers at C4WS are volunteers

·         there is less bureaucracy at church night shelters

·         the shelters are better at responding to human needs

·         the guests frequently respect the fact that they are in a church building

4. Destitute asylum seekers – Such persons are not entitled to benefits or to work legally, and they are very unlikely to have access to hostel places unless they receive housing benefit. Such persons receive limited help apart from their own communities. Regardless of the merits of individual cases, there is something deeply unsettling about the way large numbers of desperate people bed down outside the Refugee Council’s offices because they have nowhere else to go. There is a particular need to assist persons that fall into this category.

5. Economic migrants – this is a distinct group from asylum seekers and are not entitled to benefits - A8s and A2s but entitled to work

6. Recently released prisoners – Those who serve sentences less than one year do not receive help from probation services. They are therefore not entitled to as bail hostel upon release. During their sentence they often lose their accommodation and therefore can be homeless upon release.