Has anyone else seen or spoken with the homeless people recently appearing in the stair wells of Vale Lodge?

I came home from work the other day to find a man with his shoes off and his clothes hung up on the banister, laying down on the third floor. He didn't attempt to move or apologise as I stepped over him. It's scary enough at 5pm, but i'd have been a lot more frightened if I came home at 12am at night to find this.

I am really concerned about this as I know it's not the first time from talks with other neighbours. One mentioned that the man asked to come in to her flat. There is children in my block, should they have to see that outside their door?

How on earth do they get into the building?
And why this building and not other multi occupancy buildings with communal stairwells?
Are they squatters?

I live in vale lodge and I saw a man or shall I say young adult sleeping on the third floor stairs. I asked him if he was okay and he said he was fine and would leave soon. He had an interview with Lawrence house and was hoping for a job. I
Haven't seen him since Friday. He might have found a job. But I understand what you mean about being scary as I have a 9 month old myself

There's no reason for people to live in doorways etc on Perry Vale, when there's a 125 bed homeless hostel off Dartmouth Road - that was well publicised not so long ago and made promises to keep their residents from causing a public nuisance locally as has happened previously. It doesn't look as if their keeping their promise.
The most depressing thing is that Forest Hill seems to be a mecca for hostels housing people with problems - battered wives shelter next door to me with CCTV. I'd like to know how many other hostels there are in neighbouring areas like Penge, Sydenham and Lewisham.

Nothing ever gets done about this area it would very interesting to find out exactly why.

The reason that people will use the stairwells in this block in particular is that there are no security doors.

So if people who live there think that this is a problem and as it is a private block then I suggest that they get on to the freeholder (and if they are renting do this via their landlord) and get proper secure doors put in place.

I’m not sure that there is a general problem with homelessness in Forest Hill as opposed to any other part of London, or other major urban area. It’s probably a few people taking advantage of the easy access to the building to get out of the rain.

@Tarquin

I hardly think Forest Hill is a mecca for hostels. Sure there is a homeless hostel but accepting that there are homeless people then there needs to be some sort of facility for them to maybe assist them back on the path to finding work and/or somewhere to live.

And what’s really wrong with a battered wives shelter (with or without CCTV)? Are you suggesting that such places shouldn’t exist?

Or is it just that you don’t want them near you.

I don't know whether it's just familiarity with the area, but it does seem to me that there are more than average hostels around here. It's not something I would normally notice.

Not only Mariam Lodge, which is huge, but also something down Ackroyd Road (I wonder if that is what Tarquin is referring to) and also the hostel right opposite St Dunstan's in Catford.

I live on the fourth floor of vale lodge. I woke up today and opened my door to find a man sleeping right outside it with his blanket and belongings scattered everywhere! I got scared so I closed the door quickly. This is getting too much! Every month there's someone who decides to start sleeping here. Two weeks ago me and my family came home late like 2 am and we saw a man sitting on the steps of the third floor smoking. He was rude to is Aswell. This is getting too much . I want to do something about it before winter starts because then I have a feeling we will be getting a lot more visitors!

This is mainly for - Bring out the Cranston - so you are suggesting that homeless people and battered wives have more rights than me and other members of the community who don't fit that category.
Can I suggest that if you raise your head out of your bunker for a moment and look at the real world around you - that's actually paying for it all - you'll find that thankfully your view is in the minority.

Someone who sleeps directly outside someones front door is suffering from the delusion that their rights are more important than other peoples - they should be put right on this - and told about respecting other people.
All this making excuses solves nothing.

Contact PC Richard Bailey - he's the police officer in charge of Perry Vale.

Surely the only thing to do is call the police? They are making people feel intimidated in their own home whether that is their intention or not.

Once they are moved along by the police one time it will act a deterrent not to come and sleep on someone else's property again.

This is for residents of Vale Lodge... Has anyone heard anything about when a door entry system will be fitted? I'd been advised it would be the end of August but there is no sign.

I'd be grateful if you can share any info.

We have someone else sleeping in Vale Lodge stairwells. I think it is the same man who was knocking on doors late last night asking for money.

I've made a streetlink referral, if you live in Vale Lodge and see him pls update with them. This is the reference: WD110530

Also, Vale Lodge residents pls make the management company aware. It would be good to have our door entry made a priority!

Here is the streetlink url

Street Link http://www.streetlink.org.uk

There is a man back sleeping in the stairwells, whilst I understand it is freezing cold outside and he needs some shelter, it is extremely intimidating when I leave for work in the dark and come across him sprawled out across the stairs. He has been there the last few mornings, often staying till after 1pm.

I'm worried about coming home late at night alone and having to step over him in the stairwells.

Any advice on the best thing to do?

Thanks

Yes I have seen him as well, young guy about 20. He was there all day. I contacted police and moved him on (CAD9294). But he was back the next day, Also told the management company.

This particular person has been back a number of times over the last 6 months, he claims he knows someone in the block when challenged, but Police say he admitted to being homeless.

Yes it is cold outside, but this person has been advised on a number of times where to and how to get help with proper shelter, but doesnt seem to understand the concept or the idea of trespassing.

I saw that some residents have taken to feeding him, which doesnt help him

If you need to contact the police phone 101 and quote the CAD above

Can anyone shed any light as to why this particular block seems to attract homeless people sleeping on the stairwells?
Surely there are other buildings with communal entrances which don't seem to have this problem.
Is there perhaps a resident in the block who's known to help them with food and money?

There are proposals to install intercoms in mid Feb that should prevent rough sleeping providing there is no tailgating.