Comfortable Sleeping Tents for Homeless People

England has around 380,000 homeless people (including rough sleepers, sofa-surfers and people living in bed-and-breakfasts).

Homeless people can claim benefits, giving the address of a family member/friend, hostel or job centre. This helps to pay for food (and pet food), interview clothes and rent deposits. People without bank accounts can use the government’s Payment Exception Service to collect benefits from a local post office or PayPoint outlet.

If you see someone sleeping rough, send a report to StreetLink, whose outreach teams visit rough sleepers at night, to alert them of support to find benefits and accommodation (if the person is under 18, call 999).

Also read about how to help homeless people with dogs.

Why we need sleeping inventions for homeless people

Rough sleepers find it difficult to drag around heavy coats and blankets, especially when wet. Sleep Pod is a £30 rain/wind-resistant ‘sleeping tent’ that is lightweight and easy to carry.

Shelterbag (with a waterproof mattress built-in)

Shelterbag is a high performance survival bag, with a large tented hood to provide full protection from the elements. It is waterproof, heavily insulated, and has a built-in mattress. It is also light, and is carried either over one shoulder or as a 2-strap backpack. And crucially it sells for just £100, an ideal purchase for small homeless charities. Organisations can repurpose black canvas graphics, to be made into bags.

ShowerBox (free showers for homeless people)

ShowerBox (London, Birmingham and Barking) offers free mobile showers to prevent infections and skin issues, and enhance self-care for better chance of finding a job and stable home. Users also get hot drinks, fresh undies and free use of hair clippers.

Homeless people also need free public toilets (they can be arrested for indecency if urinating or removing clothes in public places). If there are no hostels, what are they supposed to do?

Rome, Miami and San Francisco all have dedicated free toilets for homeless people, why are we so far behind? It’s also safer for everyone, as addicts have safe disposal bins, for used needles.

We could also do with something like Orange Sky Australia (volunteers drive vans to different towns, so homeless people can take showers and launder their clothes for free).