Why are people so ignorant about the homeless?

Question

Hell 70% of Americans are less than 3 paychecks away from losing everything and being homeless yet they act it could never happen to them.

I had a friend who was laid off and lost his home six months later. Was he addicted to drugs/alcohol? No!!! Was he lazy? No, he worked 60 hours a week before being laid off. He couldn't find a job because these picky-as-hell companies won't give anyone a chance unless they are 110% perfect and the temp jobs he found only paid for about a third of his expenses. The only reason he wasn't on the streets because I let him in and he just helps with some of the utilities.

Why are people so ignorant about the homeless? When you work for a living it could happen to you anytime.

Answer 1

You are so right ,,,No job security and it is the ways of the new america,,,,Yes, we are all in the same boat,

Answer 2

Single working, married both working, we all are 1-3 paychecks away from being homeless. Llive in an apartment, oh god hopefully not living in a home with a mortgage it can happen. I was told once to always have at least six months of pay in the bank but it can take a year to find a job and depending on the monthly expenses it is just better to live, save, pay cash for everything and make sure montly expenses can be paid even with a $10hr job.

Answer 3

A few things from my observations. When Hughes A/C left California for Nevada they offered to take everyone with them, many said no and then whined about not finding another job at the same pay. I saw a guy on tv state bluntly that he had always gotten 60 bucks plus and refused numerous job offers that wouldhave started him at 35- 40 per hours. I home his whole family starved. Most people that lose their job and end up homeless were the idiots playing keep up with the Jone's. I hae no sympathy for them either. If you really want to work, I know the jobs are out there.

Answer 4

i think most people realize they are only a few paychecks away too. A lot of folks have safety nets -- but those run out as well.

Everyone needs to live within their means. If the temp jobs your friend got only paid for 1/3 of expenses he was living outside his means. Time to look for a cheaper town to move to or get a room mate or something. If he's near homeless I am sure he exhausted every idea. You are a good friend to help to get him back on his feet.

Answer 5

If that's a problem for you, I would suggest you put a little aside each week. There is a thing called PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. True the unexpected often happens, but you know that's life. The big bad world doesn't owe you, me or anyone a darn thing. Try to put the money aside that you might have used to go out to dinner for the fourth time this month, maybe rent one less video, put that money into the bank, get rid of your SUV and buy a hybrid. Deposit into a money market account, IRA, 401k, there is almost endless ways to conserve on wasteful spending and save for that emergency, or rainy day. I am not sure what you are asking, but yes I am aware of the homeless problem, I see the homeless on corners with their signs everyday, I have asked them if they wanted some work, and you know what, they said NO, true story. One guy had a sign "why lie, I need a beer".

Answer 6

It is true that it wouldn't take much for the average American to lose everything but I think that it is mostly because no one saves any money anymore. Everything is on credit or purchased with a loan. People who really can't afford it risk their homes by getting a second mortgage. I also agree that the job situation in America really sucks anymore, but that's why it's all the more important to live within your means and save, save, save.

Answer 7

Ignorant of the homeless get a clue .
Here in San Francisco you dont dare use a ATM alone they will beg ,and or steal from you if you give them a chance .
Some if not most of the homeless here are mentally deranged , drug addicted vermin whose only goal is to pander to liberals who feel sorry for them ( WRONG ANSWER).
I lost my job for 10 months ( 21 pay periods ) and I survived and I make 40K in San Francisco .
How did I do it I didn't sign up for every credit card out there I saved my money and I didn't squander it on needless materialism .

Answer 8

Because there is no good reason to be homeless in America. You should always have a savings account with enough money to cover your expenses for at least six months. Also your house payment should not be more that 25% of your take home pay. The problem with America is everybody wants instant gratification and they refuse to save up to buy things they want. There is no reason to be in debt and every persons primary goal should be to get out of debt. As for the homeless people you see on the streets they made that decision and now the have to live with it. By that I mean they chose not to work hard at work or school and now they are paying for that decision. If there was not consequences for the lack of work then there would be no reason to work.

Answer 9

I disagree.

Many people may be three paychecks away from losing their homes, etc. as you claim, but that doesn't tell the whole story.

If I lost my home tomorrow, I wouldn't be "homeless" because I have a support structure in place. Friends, Family, Church, Etc. are there to help should something like that happen.

The homeless are a much smaller percent who have no similar support structure in place. Chronic homelessness is highly correlated with mental illness and drug use, they deserve help, but they need to WANT help before it will do any good.

Answer 10

Okay, here we go. The problem is people get overextended on credit because they want to have the SUV's, Plasma TV's, iPod's etc...Keeping up with the Jones. The average US home is $30,000 in credit card debt alone. Now you loose your job then what? People do not think anymore about contingency plans. Just keep getting deeper and deeper!!!