What is like to be homeless is there anbody that has experienced homelessness for an extended period of time?

Question

I'm not going to be homeless i just want to know about peoples experiences so I can have a better understanding of how it may feel

Answer 1

oh my god yes! i was homeless for 5 months or more. it was just a mess. i slept in the park and in cars ( if i was lucky) and ate at the soup kitchen. you have to get in with other people in the same situation and they end up useing you to get beer or drugs... its a harsh world out there when you are on the street. you are lucky if you have someone to look after you for a while or a good tip on where there is food or somewhere to sleep that you wont get the bums rush. also where to take a shower and if you'll get clean clothes.
as far what happend to me, i was gullible on the street and thought that people were being nice becasuse they were nice. but they always want something and it s usulay you....
i was homeless because of drugs and ignorance.
though now i have been clean for 4 years, live in a house and have a loveing husband, not to mention i just turned 24!

Answer 2

I worked at a bar in Chicago that had a lot of homeless people pan handling around it. (It was in the rich section of town so the homeless came their for money.) Most of them choose to be homeless. I spoke to them often, even became friends with some of them. I would allow them to come into the bar when it was slow and count their money as long as they bought a drink and tipped. You would not believe how much money they made some nights. Literally hundreds of dollars.

There is a certain level of freedom they have others do not. They are highly skilled at one thing---working the system. They know that they need to play on peoples heart to get more money, food, shelter, or whatever. The reality of it is they choose that life. Most people will never understand this, or believe it. People who do not want to be homeless are not for too long. They are the ones who really need help. The homeless people who have lived that way for years like that lifestyle and do not want a "home."

Many of them do have what they would call a "home." There are also some with mental problems that need help too, but they are usually too "crazy" to know any better. (I am not an expert on the mentally ill, that is just my impression.)

The one thing I have learned from talking to several different homeless people is that there is a subculture in our society that finds the hobo life to be the life for them. They will not tell you this right away, or if they think they can play on your emotions for something, but if they get to know you and trust you they will tell you they choose to live they way they do.

Answer 3

It is a long and complex story....A close relative of mine was homeless for a year I think. It was a horrible time for him and me too. He was homeless while there was nothing I could do about it even though I was very sad for him. He was in another country... He was in such a bad state that he didn't have the money to fly home.. He fell sick and I was afraid that he had Tuberculosis and that he might die. But fortunately he didn't. The worst part of it is that you don't know where food will come from. You have no one to care about you and you feel worthless. This relative of mine was depressed when he became homeless. It was the depression that eventually made him homeless.. ( no he didn't do drugs and he was not an alcoholic )

He is safe and fine now.... it is truly a miracle...

Answer 4

Ive personally never been homeless, but a friend of has. He says he was always scared..and cold. He didnt have anything.. Actually, he had his car, that was already paid off.. but without money, you dont have gas..

so he sat in his car, that had a sign in the window, asking for any sort of help. He never knew whether or not he would have anything to eat that day.. He would just have to hope that someone would read his sign and give him a couple dollars, or even food.

This isnt related, but after hearing his story, I always give what i can to the homeless people sitting on street corners..or on the side of the road. Even if i just saw a couple of people giving him/her money or something. They can use all they can get.

Answer 5

Being homeless is uncomfortable and scary. You don't know where you are going to sleep and for me their is nothing better than fresh linens and a comfy bed.
Also, not knowing when and what you are going to eat is super scary as well.
I managed but it wasn't for an extended period of time.
You about to be homeless???? Why the question?

Answer 6

Consider the hierarchy of needs. The need for security (food, shelter, et c.) is near the bottom of the pyramid. The need for personal growth is at the top. If the needs at the bottom of the pyramid are not met then the needs at the top haven't got a prayer. If you can't count on food and shelter then you have no chance of growing intellectually or morally. If you are unable to grow intellectually and morally then you can not reach your full potential as a human being.

Answer 7

I was never homeless, and hopefully never will be, but I will tell you this : My husband and I "took in" homeless people before (a husband and a wife) and SHE was very disrespectful to us....she was doing drugs in our home!!!!, after we toled them specifically *no drugs* alcohol was fine, and so was cigarettes, but no drugs and we didnt find out, until a week later, so we made them hit the road.....After they left, I found A used tissue my her under neath our couch cushion, and one in my hoodie I let her borrow!! YUCK! (After they left, I wanted to make sure they took their drugs with them) AND she used ALL of my hair products! and all of our toilet paper.....we went through a pack of toilet papaer in ONE WEEK!! A pack lasts my hubby and myself, about 3-4 weeks!! And not only that, but the *lounge* pants I let her use STILL SMELL at the crotch and they've been through the wash TWICE!!! YUCK! (and that was AFTER they bathed....Maybe thats where she hid her drugs....in her u know what......YUCK im going to throw up now......HOPE I HELPED.....one more thing here...I Still would take in any homeless person/people, cuz I would feel really bad if I didn't.....Hubby is same way as me....we're just good people....We felt bad for making them leave, though, but we keep in contact with them, and they're doing better :)

Answer 8

Homeless is equal to "no willpower." And that is equal to a habitual sense of dependence on another's will, a sort of "home" for many in that they have a cover that provides some sense of security and many live in that "home." For some, to live free and independent even if not socially accepted by some society it is still a free will act and that form of security and self dependence is home for many even if getting wet, cold and wind blown at times comes along with it. Oh yes, did I mention the constant harassment of do-gooders who want me to be like them full of unresolvable preoccupations that come with material possessions?

Answer 9

i have lived in a tent in the woods and so on and so forth. It sucks but at least you have your freedom. I'd rather be homeless than in jail! there are organizations that will hel with food and clothing also. where r u going to be homeless at? i did it in fla.(no cold weather) i can hel with suggestions in future if you need it.

Answer 10

yes i was homeless when i was 16--kicked out of the house--slept on a park bench when i couldnt find a friend who's mom would let me stay the nite--my family moved to nebraska--so i eventually went to job corps--with room , board, and an education!