The shopping centre that's become an unofficial homeless shelter by night – BBC London News

It may be a bright and modern shopping arcade metres from the Olympic Park but at night the Stratford Centre turns into a very different place. It's become an unofficial overnight shelter for London's homeless and the numbers are thought to be growing. The council has promised to take action. Gareth Furby has the story.

[martinkeeble]

It frightens me to think that after losing a limb serving the nation and suffering obvious mental trauma you could be sleeping rough just because squatters have taken your flat. The vulnerable are suffering at the expense of the aggressive and underserving.

[hamidsharif]

A war veteran should never be homeless

[kensyskye]

We can't even house our own!!! It's disgusting.... 😣

[snowmouseOO]

"This has been going on for months". No. I walk through that shopping centre every morning. 5 years ago the number of homeless people sleeping there was as high.

[elainebines]

Disgusting that all monies paid for oylmpic park and all the units made for the olympians to live in - was supposedly meant to be for homeless people after the games - wtf is going on!!! Look at the prices they are being sold for - the MP should bring this up in the commons

[theclumsybrit]

I was considering joining the armed forces but when I see veterans being abandoned it really makes me doubt myself.

[michaeldunham]

It's being going on for years not months

[fmsalle]

I've worked in Stratford centre for 2 years and the level of homeless people have risen finishing work at 8 and seeing everyone taking there spaces for the night

[oldgit]

Shocking, I noticed how much the homeless problem has increased whilst in London recently

[xyg]

A new 20 bed centre? I counted a lot than that just from this short report. As for the war vet, he should NEVER have to be in this situation after what he has done for the UK. Shame one you the government. Happy I left five years ago!

[DontDissTheProgram]

this homeless situation is getting out of hand, as long as it isn't self induced there should be some sort of help

[simranjeet]

Oh my lord, please help them . They are your children and it's your onus to keep them a healthy and prosperous life...

[kan]

I feel so bad for the veteran You can tell he has PTSD by the way he slowly talks its awful.

[DdotTindall]

Homelessness is a mental health issue as well, we need more mental health help

[ridashah]

Heroes we should salute them don’t treat them like this

[ianholden]

Wow 20 bed center what about the other 1000 plus

[UnseenSpirit]

I remember years a go this shopping centre was never closed and teens use to dance and skate board there until 2 am or so. I did find it weird that it never closed at that time

[stevendouglas]

so sad the way Britain has gone .
people look the other way .

[plaistowbill]

Howdo squatters simply take a person's flat?

[jonnyhost]

In the 80s and 90s people used to go to London to work from the north east and use to sleep rough. Its nothing new.