Surrey charity says local's perceptions of what a 'typical homeless person' looks like are false
Charity Renewed Hope says there's a misconception that people end up rough sleeping due to drink, drugs and crime
A Surrey charity is telling us that rough sleepers in the area do not fit the profile of what we may think a 'typical homeless person' looks like.
Anna Coe - Project Co-ordinator for Renewed Hope - says there's a misconception that people end up rough sleeping due to drink, drugs and crime.
Anna Coe tells us:
"People can think about a homeless person and think drink, drugs crime -these are the kind of things that comes later.
"Once you've been in chaos for a while, had that life around you on the streets - that's when you turn to survival methods to survive.
"A large number of people on our streets are refugees.
"Some are refugees that have just got their status that they can stay in the UK, but at this point the government does not pay for their accommodation any longer.
"It goes over to the councils and they end up like everyone else - struggling to find a house.
"I've seen an Iranian guy today, some people from Africa, others from all different countries and they are just coming here to seek some refuge.
"They have now got that decision that they can stay, but the irony is there is nowhere for them to live so they're on a church floor, on a mattress, sharing a room with other people."
Renewed Hope provide a night shelter for those who need in East Surrey.
You can find out more about charity Renewed Hope here.