A charity which has provided housing for homeless people in Ealing since 2003, has said it is committed to working with local residents to address any issues following a rise in public complaints over anti-social behaviour, drug taking and dealing in public and theft from shops.
St Mungo’s, which offers accommodation in Hanwell to rough sleepers, has faced growing criticism from locals over what they say has been a rise of anti-social behaviour over recent years.
Following a number of complaints by locals about how the charity manages those who use its services, St Mungo’s has told EALING.NEWS: “We want to work with our local community and if people are concerned they can always contact us to discuss things.”
One Hanwell resident told EALING.NEWS that they have witnessed anti-social behaviour by people wearing St Mungo’s lanyards who it is claimed have been seen in public taking drugs and dealing drugs as well as stealing from local shops. They said: “All it is, is a place to house criminals then let them do what they want.”
Another local added: “This has been happening for years and the issue seems to be ignored and just swept under the carpet. People living at St Mungo’s do need help but at the same time, St Mungo’s also needs to realise there are some people they house who are causing issues and that needs to be dealt with.”
A spokesperson for St Mungo’s said: “We cannot comment on individuals or confirm whether those responsible for allegations of anti-social behaviour are our clients. Ealing has a large number of people who are currently rough sleeping on our streets and summertime can make them more visible to the general public.
“However, St Mungo’s Ealing project is a high support accommodation for up to 24 people who have lived experience of rough sleeping. People stay with us for a maximum of two years before they are moved onto lower support projects, or their own home.”
The spokesperson added that it provides a valuable lifeline to those in need offering housing and help to overcome many issues. They said: “Many of our clients have over three decades worth of trauma and are some of society’s most vulnerable people. We take an holistic approach linking people with external support such as health teams, drug and alcohol support and mental health teams.
“We help people to learn to live in a community again and this isn’t easy for them. We work with people to be part of the community and that includes not causing anti-social behaviour. If our clients are behaving inappropriately in the community we highlight our concerns with those responsible. We have an acceptable behaviour commitment and if this is breached by our clients, we support our clients not to repeat the offence and help them to identify a plan of action.”
The spokesperson for St Mungo’s said that charity wants to engage in open dialogue with locals in Hanwell. “We have been open since 2003 and in that time we have supported 361 people to take the first step off the streets and to seek much needed support.
“We want to work with our local community and if people are concerned they can always contact us to discuss things. We will be delighted to show them around our project and help them to understand the vital work we are doing with some of the most vulnerable people whom without our support would still be rough sleeping.”
