Westminster drops plans to criminalise rough sleepers

Westminster council has shelved plans to make rough sleeping in Victoria an offence, following an extensive public consultation. There was an outcry from homeless charities when the proposals were introduced earlier this year. The issue of soup runs is still under discussion. Although a majority of people who responded to the consultation were not in favour of the proposal, Westminster Council says that the majority of local residents want a ban.

A meeting took place on Saturday 21 May between Westminster Councillor Daniel Astaire, local residents and businesses, the director of the ecumenical charity Housing Justice, Alison Gelder, and Soup Run Forum coordinator Ellie Schling. The plan agreed at that meeting was for all parties to work toward a voluntary agreement, which includes soup runs being willing to move to indoor venues in the Victoria area. If progress can be made voluntarily then Westminster says it will drop the proposed by-law.

Housing Justice is continuing to oppose the proposed bylaw. The charity said in a statement: "it is simply not the right approach, and offends against common sense and common decency. We don’t believe that people stay on the street because they are offered a free sandwich, and we believe that our energies should be going into improving services – hostels, drop in centres and outreach services - so that no one would choose to sleep on the street. Soup run volunteers and churches have much to offer in complementing statutory services, strengthening the quality of the safety net for the most vulnerable."

Over the next few weeks charities will be working together to help soup run volunteers link up with churches, hostels and day centres in Westminster to create new indoor services.

Westminster Council will be meeting on 20 July. If the Council decides to proceed with the by-law it must be approved by a vote at that meeting.