Should a friend take in a homeless person?

Question

I have a friend who found a homeless man who was sleeping in her shed. I live in Alaska and it gets pretty cold up here. She was trying to be nice and thought he could help her and she'd let him stay in her basement. What do you think?

Answer 1

If the guy seems normal and maybe has some folks to vouch for his mental status, I don't see any reason why the lady can't have the guy staying with her until it warms up as long as he's doing something to recover the cost of his lodging and food. If she is all alone with no friends and the guy has nobody to vouch, I'd have to say take him to the shelter. She can still give the guy a job.

=)

Answer 2

I couldn't imagine a homeless person in Alaska! At this day and age, you can never be none too careful. Does your friend live alone? Are there shelters in town? Sometimes one has to be a judge of character but even they can fool you. Maybe alert the authorities too. You never know, he may be wanted somewhere or an escaped convict. My aunt cleans rest areas in Montana. One day when she went in, there was a guy sleeping on the floor there. She made him get out. He was caught shortly afterwards and he was wanted for murdering a family.

Answer 3

Besides the obvious dangers, has she considered her personal belongings? When I was a child, my parents took in a homeless couple and wanted to help them get back on their feet. One day, while we were all away from home, they cleaned us out. They even took my bed and most of my toys.

It might seem like a good deed, but these things can backfire in so many disastrous ways. She can find a way to help him without putting herself or her possessions at risk.

Answer 4

this is a wonderful gesture. but as others said, she is putting herself as risk. she could let him continue to live in the shed. is there a way she could provide a space hearter, and some warm blankets? she could bring him/her meals out. there are lots of things she can do, without putting herself in a situation that could possibly harm her.

please tell her i applaud her for being so generous. i'm here today because my grandmother and mother picked up a hitch hiker, aka my father. of course, back in that day, it was more acceptable.

**i became homeless at one point and one of my co-workers took me in.

Answer 5

i could have become acquaintances with one guy if I wasn't so egocentric with my money, grew to become into walking to purchase a videogame and observed some youthful white homeless guy sitting on the line with an indication announcing hes hungry and desires food I skipped over him and stored walking to the keep to purchase my pastime, i'm an destructive man or woman.

Answer 6

She needs to get him some help from human services or a shelter or possibly the local church.

It is too dangerous in this day and age to allow strangers into your home.

She has a generous heart, but she has to think about her safety and well being.

Merry Christmas.

Answer 7

Oh that's a no no, get him out of there! Find him a shelter somewhere...........else!

My Grandma once took in a Mexican Family, they stayed at her house for like a week, they were not illegals, just homeless and complete strangers........they robbed her, took her spoons/forks paintings, blankets, and some money!

Answer 8

I think your friend could end up in really big trouble if not chopped up in little pieces, He could have any number of mental illnesses that may not be obvious.

I can understand her wanting to be nice but she should contact the authorities and they can find him a shelter.

Answer 9

That sounds very dangerous to me. Sometimes good intentions gets you hacked up in little peices.

Answer 10

Huge mistake. Doesn't she read the newspapers? Take him to a shelter instead.