I think it's a series of bad stuff that happened to them. Who wants to be homeless?

Hey C.S. How are you? I'll give this question a go!!!! I think most everything in life is a choice. Is the alcoholic or drug addicted homeless there by "choice", maybe not. Was picking up the bottle or pipe a choice, Yes!! If that led to their eventuall homelessness, it was a choice. Is the single mother on welfare there by choice, again perhaps not, but was having a baby out of wedlock or with no support for raising the baby a choice, yes. We make choices everyday that affect how we live. Some choose to face those choices and make them in their own best interest, others have been led to believe that others, like the gov. will make those choices for them and be their "net". It is a national epidemic. Bail-outs!!. People have stopped relying on themselves and expect uncle Sam to provide everything...from school lunch to mortgage payments... On the other hand, I am fully aware that bad things happen to good people and sometimes life deals you a s**t hand. This is America and there is always a way up. There should also be some assistance for those who trully need a place to go. Work hard, make good choices and plan for the future and this probably will not happen to you!!!!!

there are many different reasons why people are homeless or on welfare. I think most people would probably prefer not to have to live in a cardboard box.

Series of bad stuff generally, but also choice in some rarer cases (although making that choice, i would have thought, would stem from a desire to opt out and/or is rooted in some sort of event that made them feel the need to opt out - which i respect.

The major reasons and causes for homelessness as documented by many reports and studies include: Lack of affordable housing Substance abuse and lack of needed services Mental illness and lack of needed services Domestic violence Poverty, caused by many factors Prison release and re-entry into society Lack of affordable healthcare Natural disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness

From experience I was homeless last year due to domestic abuse. I am on disability and try to work but my health worsens when I do. It was either be abused or be homeless. Most people do not choose to be homeless.. I would have loved to have had my own apt and good food to eat. I didn't particularly enjoy standing in a line for 3 hours waiting on soup and a sandwich but you know what.. until you have been there, you have NO IDEA how humiliating it is.. people look at you and judge you.. tell you to get a job..they treat you like scum of the earth. With today's economy, more and more people are facing homelessness. I have an awesome apt now but each day is a struggle for me. I had a savings account that is now gone.. Most people are just 1 illness from homelessness or 1 disaster from homelessness. Ie) I need to have dental work done with no insurance. If I choose to do it, I would feel better physically and mentally (and maybe could work) but I would also be homeless again because it will cost me around $10,000.. each tooth is 1/2 months check..

From experience I was homeless last year due to domestic abuse. I am on disability and try to work but my health worsens when I do. It was either be abused or be homeless. Most people do not choose to be homeless.. I would have loved to have had my own apt and good food to eat. I didn't particularly enjoy standing in a line for 3 hours waiting on soup and a sandwich but you know what.. until you have been there, you have NO IDEA how humiliating it is.. people look at you and judge you.. tell you to get a job..they treat you like scum of the earth. With today's economy, more and more people are facing homelessness. I have an awesome apt now but each day is a struggle for me. I had a savings account that is now gone.. Most people are just 1 illness from homelessness or 1 disaster from homelessness. Ie) I need to have dental work done with no insurance. If I choose to do it, I would feel better physically and mentally (and maybe could work) but I would also be homeless again because it will cost me around $10,000.. each tooth is 1/2 months check..