Do you think some people want to be homeless?

Well this just goes to show how naive I am, I'd have never thought that anyone would want to be homeless by choice! Of course I realise people have terrible home lives and have to get away from them, but in that situation I'm sure they don't WANT to live on the street, it's just that they have no other choice. As for people who have addictions, I'm sure they haven't chosen to be homeless either and it's just circumstances that have forced it. I can see the appeal of living out of a van or something, just on the open road with no mortgage/rent etc but in my own head I class that as a different kind of homeless to those living on the streets and have no choice about it.

There's a couple of homeless regulars on our high street nearby and there's one who always just looks so withdrawn and completely sad and I always feel so sorry for him and think how lucky I am to be going home to my nice, warm flat that I feel kinda guilty about it. I definitely don't think he's there by choice but it's made me think twice about some of the others out there...

As for the begging issue I agree with wellard - my boyfriend works for a company that works for several charities, one of them is a homeless charity and before working on each different charity they get training in each one, when he worked on the homeless charity the first thing he was told is that it is usually just junkies that beg for money that they will inevitably spend on drugs...it's the quieter people who don't beg - like the guy I mentioned before that people should think about, I won't give my money to beggars that are blatantly on drugs as I am worried I will be contributing to their addiction, my money could be what goes toward them having an overdose, but I will give my money to the others when I have any to spare.

I think either way if either you are forced to be homeless because of financial issues or the illness of addiction or you choose to live on the street because your life is so bad otherwise (and again I don't mean like living like a traveller, if you have a roof over your head, warmth and food I feel that's different to actually living on the streets), it's not really a choice of sorts it's just that you have no other choice. Call me naive but I think it's terribly sad for anyone is any of those situations and no one should be judged of what got them there, we all make mistakes.

I was going to say this. I agree completely.

Maybe some just love the wilderness and don't want to be in the company of people.

For most of the time I was homeless, it was because I wanted to be. I was happy to spend time being homeless. It was kind of cruisey, no major hassles, and I only owned what I could carry. It taught me a lot, apart from my guitars, I don't take possessions overly seriously these days Although, it was also inconvenient sometimes... summer could get a bit whiffy, and winter was just bloody cold, but I had fun too.

I didn't beg for money or go to soup kitchens. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with people doing that, soup is not overly expensive... it just wasn't my thing.

I know for a fact that some people want to remain "homeless". I offered a room for a homeless associate of mine and he declined. I was homeless twice and both times it seemed like a hopeless situation. You actually need some help to break the cycle. I carry granola bars in my car and when I see someone panhandling on a freeway exit, I give them a granola bar.

J.R.

That's a good idea. Do they take it or have they ever declined? I often get stuck at red lights with panhandlers asking for help. It's awkward it'd be nice to give them something. It's usually the same people too. Though they rotate (they have a schedule and are organized here).

My husband once tried to give food to a guy who was panhandling. The guy said "If I bring anymore food home, my wife is gonna kill me."

Being homeless is a job it's hard trying not to work and still get benfits from others

I don't believe it is the government's job to take care of the homeless; it's a job for the private sector: churches, charities, and individuals.

Instead of money, I can give the homeless non-perishable food, socks, travel-size toiletries, a grocery store gift card or phone card, written directions to local shelters and kitchens, a blanket, etc.. Doesn't have to be brand-new. Could be from a thrift shop.

Some homeless junkies, prostitutes, etc. turn their lives around because church and charity homeless outreach volunteers give them much-needed encouragement, support and direction.

If private charity worked so well then there wouldn't still be homeless people. The only thing that works with getting rid of homelessness is government intervention.

Being homeless is the s***. But then comes all the headache with surviving.

Not sure about people wanting to be homeless but I know of many people who just do not want to work and like to live off the government.

Most homeless people are homeless because they suffer from mental illness and cannot competently cope in a currency-driven world.

More research and funding needs to be alloted towards relieving MI or simple jobs reserved aside for those inflicted with MI.

I know the majority tend to say "Oh he's nuts, let him die alone next to a dumpster." but it's pretty much similar to taking the same attitude towards a personal whom is intellectually disabled.

Their humans in situations that you wouldn't even want to be in your nightmares and as humans there should be some humane way of either fixing their problem or establishing a system that they can use to help themselves with.

I mean, do you really need that shopping cart pushing job? Why not try for something more clever that pays better and leave that slot open for people whom are less keen.

And if government worked as well as you claim it does, there wouldn't be homeless people.

If government indeed "cures" homelessness, I will believe it when I see it.