Council posters that say: DON’T give to homeless

A COUNCIL has been accused of ‘demonising’ the homeless by encouraging the public to think twice before giving money to them.

Posters in Gloucester warn passers-by that some of the city’s rough sleepers are actually on benefits and living in accommodation. They read: ‘Are you really helping homeless people? In some cases, the people you see sleeping rough are not homeless. They are in accommodation, receiving support and benefits.’ The Conservative-run Gloucester City Council campaign asks people to donate to homeless charities instead.

But Matthew Knight, who works for one of the charities, said: ‘It stigmatises all homeless people.’

The council’s Labour group leader Terry Pullen added: ‘This is shameful and effectively demonises one of the most vulnerable groups of people in our society.’