Expansion of Miriam Lodge Hostel for Homeless
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P1971
Posts: 816
Joined: Feb 2009
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24-03-2014 11:23 PM
I strongly hope this doesn't go ahead. Sure I'll have my letter when I open tomorrow
What a let down after posting on another thread with a smile on my face.
This post was last modified: 24-03-2014 11:41 PM by P1971.
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admin
Administrator
Posts: 425
Joined: Dec 2002
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Anotherjohn
Posts: 380
Joined: May 2005
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25-03-2014 09:28 AM
There are many reasons why these people are homeless and I'm sure that some of them can be helped back into a more 'normal' life.
However, there are also a good number of them who have deep problems and are less able to adapt - even with the help of Miriam Lodge and the wider community.
For instance - what hope is there for the man who, in the middle of the afternoon, stands, looking, from the street into a hairdresser's shop window, at an attractive young girl who's having her hair done and undoes his trousers and masturbates right there? This particular guy needs to be accompanied whenever he leaves the hostel - but that ain't happening is it!
There is no place in Forest Hill for Miriam Lodge in its current form, let alone for an extended version!
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P1971
Posts: 816
Joined: Feb 2009
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25-03-2014 10:51 AM
I totally agree Anotherjohn.
As you know I'm in Dartmouth Road until 6 or 8pm 6 days a week and have only noticed a care worker with a resident on a couple of occasions, but I see at least one Miriam Lodge resident passing on a daily basis.
The resident I noticed the care worker with seems to have moved on thank goodness as I haven't seen him for a while. His trousers often dropped to his knees and he was always intoxicated, not sure if it's the same guy you mentioned or another resident!
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nottinghillbilly
Posts: 661
Joined: Dec 2010
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25-03-2014 11:17 PM
I really feel strongly that expansion of the Hostel would be deeply detrimental to our community.
It can only lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour and have a negative impact on the positive developments we have seen in the form of new businesses On Dartmouth road.
Lets hope it doesn't go ahead
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P1971
Posts: 816
Joined: Feb 2009
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26-03-2014 12:19 AM
Me too nottinghillbilly
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Chris88
Posts: 43
Joined: Sep 2012
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26-03-2014 11:23 AM
I think the focus on the arguments against it should be it would not be sustainable if expanded. And the existing centre is not adequately staffed and is already putting a strain on the community. A strain that at the moment is bareable and we accept these people need to be placed somewhere. But an expansion would not be reasonable.
Simply saying I don't want these kinds of people in my neighbourhood is not a valid argument and wouldn't help the cause.
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nottinghillbilly
Posts: 661
Joined: Dec 2010
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27-03-2014 09:07 PM
Agree with above comment.
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P1971
Posts: 816
Joined: Feb 2009
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27-03-2014 10:32 PM
Chris88 I agree with you in principal, but from what I see daily the residents can change on a daily basis on some occasions so you never know what to expect, and as I say I have only saw care workers on 2 occassions. I for one due to past experiences and thinking about the safety of kids due to the amount of schools in this area feel very strongly against this.
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Iheartsydenham
Posts: 12
Joined: Mar 2014
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28-03-2014 11:33 PM
I urge those who have a view about Miriam Lodge's expansion plans to attend the pre application consultation on April 3rd. Meeting details are in my previous post.
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Iheartsydenham
Posts: 12
Joined: Mar 2014
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28-03-2014 11:52 PM
Public Consultation details for those wishing to attend. My understanding is that they will propose a 5 storey extension to the existing 8 storey site.
The owners of Miriam Lodge are holding a public consultation at Miriam Lodge, 185 Dartmouth Road, on Thurs 3rd April, starting at 7.00 pm.
Agenda:
7.00 p.m. Refreshments and registration
7.10 p.m. Presentation on the current management of Miriam Lodge
7.30 p.m. Questions and comments on the current management of Miriam Lodge
7.50 p.m. Presentation on the proposed development of the site
8.10 p.m. Questions and comments on the proposed development of the site
8.40 p.m. Closing
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P1971
Posts: 816
Joined: Feb 2009
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P1971
Posts: 816
Joined: Feb 2009
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01-04-2014 10:57 PM
Hi admin
Can we update the straw poll daily until the meeting at Miriam Lodge on Thursday 7pm at 185 Dartmouth Road.
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admin
Administrator
Posts: 425
Joined: Dec 2002
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03-04-2014 06:11 PM
A reminder - the meeting is tonight at 7pm at Miriam Lodge, 185 Dartmouth Road.
Poll here
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P1971
Posts: 816
Joined: Feb 2009
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03-04-2014 07:37 PM
Really gutted I can't make tonight due to last minute childcare issues. Hoping for some updates guys!
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admin
Administrator
Posts: 425
Joined: Dec 2002
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03-04-2014 09:25 PM
At this evening's meeting there were two representatives for Miriam Lodge (ML), two for the architects, and around 50 attendees including two police officers.
Some points raised at the meeting, hopefully others will add/correct as appropriate:
ML is a privately-owned business run for profit. It is funded by commercial loans and by local authorities who pay ML rent for the residents. ML receives no payment for supporting residents in any way other than housing. It was put to them by attendees that therefore the only reason for the expansion of the current capacity was to expand profit.
Chair of the Forest Hill Society Michael Abrahams pointed out that this did not appear to be a proper pre-planning meeting as no member of the planning committee (nor any local council member) was present to hear the opinions of local residents, and it was unclear whether anyone was taking minutes. ML responded that this was not the purpose of the meeting, and then it was suggested by another attendee that this was really a PR exercise.
ML keep no statistics regarding the percentage of their residents with a drug or alcohol problem, as it is not part of their remit. ML staff know nothing of residents' drug/alcohol history before they arrive, but say they deal with it as it arises.
ML says that their staff walk the local area in high-visibility vests and if they see ML residents behaving inappropriately they ask them to return to the hostel to be dealt with as required. Attendees said they have never seen these staff walking around.
5 residents have been evicted from ML over the past 3 months for unacceptable behaviour.
ML notifies the police of all new residents, and if the police have to deal with an ML resident on the streets ML is informed.
The police said they are aware that drug dealing goes on in the area but unless they catch the perpetrators in the act there is no evidence and therefore little they can do.
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michael
Posts: 3,261
Joined: Mar 2005
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03-04-2014 10:39 PM
For instance - what hope is there for the man who, in the middle of the afternoon, stands, looking, from the street into a hairdresser's shop window, at an attractive young girl who's having her hair done and undoes his trousers and masturbates right there? This particular guy needs to be accompanied whenever he leaves the hostel - but that ain't happening is it!
Was this incident reported to the police? Was it definitely somebody from ML. [/i][/quote]The owner of ML claims to have no knowledge of such an incident, and the police are claiming that no incidents of crime or anti-social behaviour have been attributed to residents in the last months.
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admin
Administrator
Posts: 425
Joined: Dec 2002
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03-04-2014 10:43 PM
I assumed AnotherJohn was speaking hypothetically ... ?
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P1971
Posts: 816
Joined: Feb 2009
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03-04-2014 10:56 PM
Thanks for the update! Do you know if us that couldn't attend can still put in a written letter?
ML is a private sector and is all about making money and not about what people with needs need. I take it this is still the case.
AND staff walking around in vests! I've never seen even one and I'm on D Rd day in day out, and not knowing residents problems means they can't help them no matter what.
Hey Ho PR excerise aside. THERE ARE SO MANY SCHOOLS AROUND THIS AREA AND YOU DON'T THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE TENNANTS DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS IN TO CONSIDERATION.
Sorry to be a bit cheeky and sarcastic but WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE ML. I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THE LOCAL KIDS ABOVE YOUR ADDICTS.
Sorry rant over, but most sincere
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Perryman
Posts: 822
Joined: Dec 2006
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04-04-2014 12:03 AM
Seems to me that if ML are going to house specialist residents (and presumably are paid a premium for this), then ML (and Lewisham council) should be held accountable to us, to provide specialist support so they do not present a risk.
ML certainly should hold records on the type of problems the residents have, and have knowledge of the issues any new potential residents may have.
There needs to be qualified staff, who will be experienced in noticing when there are early signs of relapse or new undesirable behaviours and so take pre-emptive measures.
Other councils are not accountable to us, and may 'make a slip' and send people not suitable for this kind of accommodation. Then following an incident, both ML and Lewisham council will claim zero responsibility. This doesn't seem very satisfactory to me, and this is not an arrangement that we should happily agree to be expanded yet further.
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