Half of Londoners don’t care about homeless

Appalling new research has revealed only a third of Londoners help the homeless.

The study, carried out by Richmond University, also concluded an alarming 51 per cent of us are indifferent to homeless people, with only 37 per cent occasionally helping them.

It also emerged just under half –– 44 per cent –– only offer help rarely, and a further seven per cent have never done anything at all.

Homelessness has risen by a massive 52 per cent in the UK since 2010, and the majority of these are believed to be aged 16 to 44 according to Homeless Link.

Homelessness keeps on rising in the city

Jena Raj, an MA student at Richmond who conducted the study, said: “Case studies have shown people tend to believe homeless people are mentally ill or similar.

“In all honesty, I had a similar perception, but not as a whole. It is wrong to perceive people, any group of people, under a grey cloud.

“I really feel even the smallest contribution besides money, such as food and drinks can really make the difference, even if small.”

At King’s, the Hot Chocolate Society works hard to reach out to the homeless and overcome these misconceptions.

The society’s President, Matt Williams, told The Tab he thinks the homeless are an “uncomfortable truth” for many Londoners.

He said: “In relation to the statistic, it does not surprise me, although I’m interested in what ‘help’ means, presumably just donation of money or food.

“It seems to me the homeless are such an uncomfortable truth people would rather not look down and see them as people.

“Homelessness is a complete anachronism in a society in which most people lead comfortable lives with constant luxuries.”

He added: “I think people find it easier to ignore the homeless due to a general vilification, and perceive it more so as a personal inconvenience than a foremost issue in our society which needs to be addressed.

“Helping does not need to be a sandwich or money, and can be as simple as empathy, and realising the person at your feet is a person, not just another obstacle to the rest of your day.”