Is homelessness really a choice?

Despite data and evidence which points to the opposite, there are scores of folks who continue believe that homelessness is a choice.

Even during harsh economic times – such as the U.S. is currently undergoing, when jobs are scarce – there are those who still believe that the homeless are so because they refuse to "seek help."

Perhaps part of it is that folks mistakenly believe that there is an abundance of resources available for the homeless. And, as a result, it’s easy to assume that if they are not escaping homelessness it must be because they enjoy being homeless.  

Sincerity alone doesn’t solve homelessness

I knew it was going to happen.

Even as I was writing my post, The ‘System’ isn’t broken…, I knew it would cause some folks associated with the Homeless Support Services (HSS) industry to become upset with me. That displeasure manifested itself in the numerous e-mails I received within days after the post was published to the blog.  

A homeless man in El Paso rescues American Flag during storm

It isn’t too often that we think of persons experiencing homelessness are being a part of our community. Instead we view of them as being outcasts; fringe dwellers; people who "take" from society but never giving anything in return.

I came across this news video from KVUE-TV, just this morning.

It is a reminder that the nation’s homeless may not have a roof over their heads, but they are every bit as American as the rest of us.  

Wedding Bells in Brandon, Florida

A couple of days ago, I came across one of the most heartwarming news articles that I’ve read in a while.

The article, which appeared in the Brandon News & Tribune, was about a wedding at the First Presbyterian Church of Brandon.

In an outdoor ceremony, surround by some of their friends, Mark Neville and Nan Schrack officially became husband and wife after having been together for 14 years. The last five of those years, they’ve been homeless.  

San Francisco Citizens Help A Homeless Man Stay In Business

About a week ago I published a post about Larry Moore – a gentleman who was trying to work his way out of homelessness.

Some six months ago, Mr. Moore started a small shoe-shining business at the corner of New Montgomery and Market Street in San Francisco.

He’d managed to build up some "regular clientele" from folks who work in nearby businesses and office buildings. He had also managed to save up nearly enough to acquire housing.

Then fate threw him a curve ball.