Homelessness was the most common response when we asked Mancunians in Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens what the biggest issue in the city is.
The majority of the public who responded highlighted homelessness as Manchester’s biggest problem.
Manchester ranks third-highest in the country for homeless people per capita, data from housing and homelessness charity Shelter revealed last year.
One previously homeless member of the public said: “They need more projects actually helping people hands-on.”
He mentioned Oldham Council’s Shower & Go scheme – which allows the community to shower every day for free at the sports centre – and said this needs to exist in Manchester.
A young woman said: “We need more shelters and systems to keep people earning enough to live.”
Another man said the response to homelessness “all starts with Andy Burnham”.
Charlie, 19, responded to our question by saying: “Crackheads, they put a bad image on the city… I mean it happens in every city but here it seems to be worse.”
One Mancunian said there was “too much traffic and we need to make public transport better”.
A separate member of the public added to this, claiming: “The bus drivers are mental.”
Alongside problems like the weather, pigeons, and people with no spatial awareness, Mancunians also mentioned how scary Piccadilly Gardens is at night and “too many graduates hitting the job centre”.
Despite the concerns, there were some positive responses.
One man said: “The best thing about Manchester is the sense of community.
“I’ve been everywhere in the UK and everywhere else has too much segregation.
“London has lots of people but they’re not all melting together like we are – we’re a big melting pot in Manchester.”
Feature image by Ben Marsden
