Web chat with Mike Parr |  | Down and out on the streets of Newcastle |
HomelessnessWhat is it like to have no home? What's it like not knowing where you will sleep tonight? Unlike some places the North East's homeless problem is a hidden one. There are some who still spend the nights on the streets and far more who will find a friend's floor - or the sanctuary of a hostel. Read the web chat with Mike Parr Radio Newcastle's Mike Parr decided to find out for himself just what it's like not knowing where - or if - you'll get a bed. "The whole thing has had a real effect on me. "I'll be honest with you, until now I've always walked past rough sleepers on the street. I've even thought some of them might just be begging for money to see how much they can make. "From now on though, not only will I give them a pound, I'll stop and talk to them."
Read Mike's street diary on BBC Tyne Sleeping roughOn one of the coldest nights of the year Mike Parr set off into Newcastle upon Tyne.  | | On the streets - Mike Parr sleeping rough |
Mike came across people sleeping rough in alleys, lanes and doorways. Their stories were all unique - but all faced the reality of facing a windswept, rainy night on the streets of Newcastle without shelter. As the rest of the city slept, Mike settled down in a doorway to see just what life is like without a home. The bigger pictureMike Parr was in good company when he took to the streets of Newcastle. The homelessness charity Shelter says that there are just under 100 people sleeping rough across the North East.
According to the latest Government statistics, there are 730 households in temporary accommodation in the region - a 12 per cent fall on the previous year.
 | | Mike Parr meets homeless people on Tyneside |
But that hides the fact that there are thousands drifting through hostels or sleeping on other people's floors.
They may have a roof over their heads but they are still homeless because they might not have a right to stay or the place is unsuitable. The homeless charity Crisis is due to open Skylight, its first learning centre for the homeless, in Newcastle in the near future. It will be the first centre of its kind for homeless people outside London.
The charity chose Newcastle because it has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country.
Mike Parr web chat | | Mike Parr after his experience of sleeping rough |
Mike Parr answered your questions about his experiences of sleeping rough in Newcastle.
His responses are now available on our web chat feature page. Read what Mike had to say about his experiences on the streets: Mike Parr Web web chat A helping hand...If you are concerned about the problem of homelessness and want to know what you could be doing to help, why not take action? Contact the CSV Action Desk for a Homelessness fact pack on volunteering opportunities in the North East - 0191 221 2815. Links relating to this story:The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites | 
Inside Out - North East: Monday January 19, 2007