No Suella, homelessness is not a ‘lifestyle choice’

Suella Braverman has announced plans to restrict the use of tents by homeless people, arguing that people see it as a “lifestyle choice”. But punishing people for seeking refuge is not the answer to solving our homelessness crisis, says Phil Conn

In the many years that I’ve been supporting people experiencing homelessness, the term “lifestyle choice” is one I have heard too often. Often, it is used to shift the burden of responsibility for someone’s situation away from an organisation or public service onto the individual themselves – and, by doing this, absolving themselves of any obligation to help.

If we can say that someone has chosen to live a certain way, we can therefore say that the consequences of such a choice are theirs to contend with.

I find that conclusion problematic.