The Homeless are not all drunks,druggies, or mental cases.

I am completely in agreement with you. I am a social worker for the homeless, and the people I work with are homeless families. That's right, families. Most of them are single mothers trying to care for their children. People don't realize how difficult it is- how are you suppose to work full time and care for your young children, when you have no support system such as friends or family and childcare is ridiculously expensive? Especially when you live in a state where rent is extremely high, and you are only earning minimum wage because you lack a college degree. If someone is working in the family and they lose their jobs, this tough economy and high unemployment rate means that it is extremely difficult to find another one in a short period of time. So, as the poster stated, they are evicted because they are unable to pay rent. There are also those who lost their homes and their possessions from a no-fault situation, such as fire or flood. I think its safe to say that most people do not have renters insurance. There are also those who migrate here legally from other countries, after winning the visa lottery program. They come here in search of a better life, because surely being homeless in the US is better than living in absolute poverty in a third world country. Here we have social services to help the needy, especially homeless families. They come without money, prospects of a job, or friends or family. So they will be homeless. You are right in your call for less ignorance. It is not fair to stereotype, especially when the stereotype certainly is not true.

Hi Hatley, years ago I saw an episode of Opray on this and I can't remember the percentages quoted but many many Americans were only one pay cheque away from being homeless. I always remembered that as it terrified me. I'd say the whole thing is a sad indictement of American society that that can be the case in what is supposed to be the richest country in the world. Maybe it got rich by not caring about people like you.

Hi Hatley...This is a great discussion. I think that everyone needs to know that the homeless is full of all kinds. No one should be labled until you know them. We have had our share of bad luck as well. I living in a camper right now due to my husband got laid of for many months. Thank goodness that we had this camper or we have been one of the homeless with lables being placed on us. People need to ask questions befor they give someone a lable..Have a great day...

Hello my friend What a great discussion I have been there myself with my daughter and grandson, we were blessed to find people to help us, we are none of these things you mentioned, I have seen both sides of this, and I never judge people because you never know what they have been through, some people make it obvious they have that could care less attitude but others really need help and we have no right to judge them for their misfortune, I never thought it would happen to me but it did, and we came through it with the help of some wonderful people, its still hard living here in the city is really expensive which is why I need to get back to work, being out of work help us to get to where we are now believe it or not, but we are still a stones throw away from it happening again, I will do my best to make sure it does not happen, people need to not judge others its not right. Thank you my friend

It is sad, and wrong to lump people into any category. We have lived one check away from homeless most of our lives. We have lots of family to turn to should it ever come to that, but I know many who do not have that to fall back on. We had a trailer in our back yard for years that got used as a temp home for an awful lot of down-and-outers untill they could get back on their feet. We kept it because we were so close to being there ourselves, and could relate, I guess. I think many folks are afraid to face "what could be" and that's what they see when they see homeless folks. So deriding them bolsters their bravado. It's shameful, for if we all worked together there would be solutions available for folks in need.

Well said! I was homeless once for the same reason...I didn't get child support after he left me and I lost my apartment. We were living in my car in the remote woods. I will never forget that feeling as long as I live.

I think we are going to see alot of it unfortunately. People are in such a mess. There are just not enough jobs to keep everyone working enough to pay bills. It is so sad. I always try to help by giving something, although, I do not like handing them money.

i have always maintained that i am not in the LORDS SEAT to judge person,i have to be in his or her shoes to try to understand him or her.basically,i think such people are courageous to face lifes struggles bodly.

I live in Canada and I'm so impressed with their medical plan that if we lived in the U.S. we'd probably be out in the street as well. In today's economy people are walking a fine line from a career to being out in the street. It can happen in a blink of an eye.

I'm very glad you brought this up. I was thinking much the same when I asked people what they would do if they found someone living in their attic or basement. I was homeless a couple of times due to financial disaster. It wasn't pleasant! Many of the homeless aren't helped because our resources are stretched to the breaking point right now. There are tent cities of homeless people all over the nation! You won't see it in the media, they are ignoring it, but those tent cities are growing at an alarming rate. No, not all the homeless are impaired. Thank you for educating myLot and perhaps it will inspire someone here to look more kindly on the next homeless person they see.

I know for certain it is not true, I have known homeless people beofore, and also as my partner and I were homeless for a little under a year, 2002-03. We lived in an area with extreme unemployment, our benefits ran out and we were unable to find another way to pay for rent, as the temp jobs we were doing did not pay enough. We most of our belongings in the eviction, only having a small car to keep blankets, work clothes and such. We eventually lost those jobs due to the couple of companies we were working for not needing temp workers. In the state we were in, homelessness was on the rise, and there was not even a shelter to take us. Without kids, we had no priority, and were unable to even get food stamps without an address. We were not the only ones with this same story, at the human services department, they told me I should try to conceive so we could get help. Our car was a piece of crap, that we kept just to have shelter, though we could not park in any one place, long. We eventually saved up enough to take a chance with the car and go to another state that had more jobs. A bit later, in a new state, we had a couple of jobs each, and qualified for a low income apartment, and since we were now full time employed, we qualified for some food stamps. (weird, huh?) Fast forward several years... We are now middle class. We are in a house, in a different city, health insurance, two cars, big screen tv, two computers... You get the idea. I am pregnant and no longer work much unless it is to help my partner with his business. We are not on any form of assistance, and as we are not "legally married" We each pay a very high tax bracket. I am always in search of being able to earn income from home, as we did a few years ago when we were self employed. That went bust after 3 years, but the state we are in now had jobs and so it was not an issue as it was in '02. My point is, we were not drunks, though we like to drink everyonce in awhile, we are not addicts, though at parties, we have smoked some herb, though we were always employed while doing so, and we are not crazy or incapable. Anyone who says the welfare system is a scam is mistaken. It's biggest problem is that it does not give enough assistance. We both were malnourished and were ill with the flu off and on for quite sometime, mainly due to not being allowed medical, housing or even food because we did not have children. People are able to get off assistance, some cheat the system, but many, wish to be able to afford the things that everyone else has.

You are soooooo very right about this. In fact, most of the homeless people that I have come to know are just people who have come into hard times that they could not work themselves out of. A physical injury or illness (not necessarily mental) can render you homeless in a heartbeat. When the incomes disappears, bills don't get paid and thinsg get taken away including your home. I have been a very hard working woman since the age of 14 and did not dream I would one day be homeless, but several things happened that created my "perfect storm" and there I was. I agree that not only should people be reminded that some of these people can be neighbors but they should also be reminded that it can happen to ANYONE!

"There but for the grace of God go I" Most people in America and many other places around the world are only one missed paycheck, job loss, serious illness or natural disaster from suffering the same fate as so many before them and becoming homeless. It CAN happen to anyone regardless of how smart, hard working or ethical they may be. Sometimes things happen which are beyond our control. People would do well to remember that before casting (often incorrect) judgment on others. Great subject for discussion, Hatley, thanks for putting up this important reminder that I think everyone should see.

ohmygosh I know!! I know many people who have become homeless and have had to seek out people to stay with until they needed a job. What is really depressing is when you read in the newspaper and see on tv that little punks pick on and beat up homeless people in the middle of the night. It's appalling!! I don't know how those people could live with themselves doing such terrible acts. I am awaiting the day where universal health care is brought to the U.S. so the homeless can be treated :)

Well said Hatley. I quite agree with you. It is possible for this to happen to anyone and people should stop being so prejudiced. With the economic troubles at the moment and so many people losing their homes, there are whole families becoming homeless. In Australia we currently have a problem with rents being extremely high and there are not enough rental properties for everyone who needs them, and the only ones that are empty are only for the rich. We have a real problem at the moment that there is not enough low cost housing for people who need it. Instead of condemning them people should help them.

I, like you, was homeless. The other homelss people i knew called it camping. It lasted 4yrs. I even had a job. Once your out there its hard to get back in. To rent apt they run credit check. Life is costly on the streets too. Just to keep food in the belly. Also after you are out there for awhile its hard to get back to living under a roof again. Its quite an experience. Part of that time i had my youngest daughter with me.

Hi Hatley, I don't know how your country's systems is but in the UK, the goverment will never let a mother and children on the streets, if they get evicted from a rented flat(apartment) they get re-housed from the goverment and would live on benefits and their rent is paid for them, that goes for a lot of people even though they have no children.When my mother's house was sold my brother was homeless and we took him in but it was like biting the hands that feeds, my brother did not get on with my hubby but we found him a half way home, he did not like and endede up homeless again, but eventuall the goverment got him a nice apartment to live in and it is very nice place and he love it, he do not have to pay for the apartment only his domestic bills and he is on benefits so he is ok. There are many people had to0 leave their homes because of circumstances and no they are not all what you have mentioned, it is very hard for people in your country if they don't get any help from the goverment. I am so glad you both are ok now. Tamara

I don't know about the story, my friend. But I will be here to participate and give you some words to inspired you in this discussion. Have a nice day!

I really feel for the homeless people in poor countries that have lost their homes due to war or natural disasters or that have never had a home to begin with. But I do struggle to have sympathy for people in wealthy countries such as here in Australia. I do not really understand how they can end up homeless, when the government give so much assistance here. I do feel for the mentally challenged people though, who have no family to help them! We only have 21 million people in this country and it is so large, but most of the people are jammed into the cities along the east coast and there are many homeless, because they cannot afford the price of housing in the city! If they moved out into the country areas, they could start life fresh in a place that is affordable. They could even live off the land! There are many choices available to people to find housing and I feel that most here do not try as hard as they could to look at all their options! I am sure that some here even enjoy being homeless in these nice beachside areas!

Rant on!! I think why so many folks choose to see homeless folk in such a negative light is because it then gives credence to their unwillingness to give a chit..If one can blame 'those' people for 'their' cicumstances then we needn't be bothered with 'them'. Social Responsibility gone sour. As for those negative aspects, Liz and I get into discussions about such things, usually because somebody said 'such and such'. My take on it is that these negatives could very easily be the result of homelessness..a way of dealing with the situation..rather than be the cause of it. That's not to justify, however, we all deal with situations differently and, in such a case, one has lost their home/personal security, they've lost the 'things' of importance to them and perhaps the people important to them and may see no way out of this imposed deadend. The light at the end of the dream tunnel has gone dark for them. And they cope in a manner that they can.. Out where we live, there's a few(?) homeless folks. Some beg, some don't. One fella works part-time at the mom/pop convenience store. Another gets lunches a couple times a week from a neighbor lady while I support his cola habit and I've been known to help out monetarily..because of an attitude my mom had about things..'You can't share it when you don't have it. So it makes sense to share it when you do.' That's Social Responsibility to me. With homeless folk the sharing seems more important whether its money, or a bit of nicotene or some time and companionship..The fella with the cola habit has wild ideas that will one day make the both of us rich! And who knows, let's be positive, he may have one..or get one..with the time he has to think on things. But for the now of it I'm one of his sounding boards for his 'notions'. To steal a quote..I have friends in low places..But, if I recall correctly, so did the Christ..hmmm Later..