What is your take on the homelessness across our country? I see a lot of it in my travels throughout California. Do you feel that people make wrong decisions or are they a victim of their circumstances? Just soliciting opinions. I will say that I see many women and families out here now who are homeless. This is a chilling sight. I also am taking note of the astounding number of homeless veterans. These are men and women who have served our country. Scary!!!!

in san antonio, texas the homeless now have a facility dedicated to helping them get back on their feet. it's called haven for hope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jEiMUIcKWc

I believe homelessness can happen to anyone. A few bad breaks, economic factors, medical or psychological factors...a bit of all of the above. Anybody can find themselves homeless at some point. I really don't believe the finger of blame can be pointed directly at anything concerning the problem. It's a complex situation with many causes contributing.....

I think that, there but for fortune, go we.

I have heard that most people are living one paycheck from being homeless. Still, it is a scary sight and a very unwelcome part of our social fabric.

I agree with Mr. Dict...
we all could be just a couple paychecks away from homelessness.

The days of yr typical homeless person bein' some drunk in an alley drinking Mad Dog outta' a paper bag are long gone. The majority of homeless are people that are just like you and me who have fallen on hard times. I believe we need more awareness of this problem in our country. Instead of focusing on it's causes I believe time and energy can be better utilized by finding ways to deal with it first. As Esebulldog pointed out, many cities are being very progressive in dealing with this issue. Still....a lot more can be done..... Awareness of the problem is the first step.

ABSOLUTELY!!!! THis problem is bigger than us and needs action !!!!

Having been homeless at one point in my life it is no fun, but I recovered. You can almost feel the devil choke your neck when you do not have a place to sleep or food to eat. What are you supposed to do? Wander around aimlessly?

Stuff happens in life. You can lose your job and not qualify for unemployment, so how are you going to pay the rent?


I have compassion on a some homeless people who are at least want to improve their lives ( even when it is against all odds).

Exactly. Anyone can make a difference. I volunteer at a local food bank and meet a whole lot of people who have fallen on hard times. I hear crazy stories about things that landed them in situations. Last time I volunteered I was talking to a lady who was homeless. She had a masters in Psychology from University of Kentucky....but couldn't find a job. She still has to pay off student loans.

may I ask what resources you used to recover? I know its difficult to have employment without an 'address' and its hard to get an 'address' without employment,,,that has to be a vicious circle

its nice that you found a support system, I hope things continue to go noplace but up for you

Mark Horvath is a former homeless man turned advocate for the homeless who travels across the U.S. interviewing the Homeless and posting the videos online.

If you would like to hear their stories in their own words, please visit

http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/


I challenge you to watch and listen to the 'forgotten' class of citizens in America.

There is homeless people in every part of the world, Now on this topic it can be so many different reasons for being homeless it can be from health mental problems to losing job or mixed in to drugs or alcohol or lived in a abusive family or kicked out at very young age ,or depression as in loss of lust for life or trying to get work, it can be education, no clean clothes people won't hire you, or some just lazy , my self over the years i have helped so many homeless people from friends that loss jobs and everything let them sleep over till they got on their feet to giving food and drink and my dad before he passed away gave homeless people jobs and even took 1 in that had cancer and looked after him i saw so much so far in my life that people never saw in 100 years so never judge a homeless person sometimes it is not their fault first remember if you don't know their background you don't know them and as for shelters homeless people threaten other homeless in shelters they steal their shoes what ever they have you may say how cause theres workers there but 1 homeless says to other we get you outside if you tell, thats a big reason a lot stay on streets, sure they go in for food but outside to sleep unless they tough ,people pull knife over 25 cents its sad ,anyways my self i love helping the homeless always did and always will with 1 thing or another ,Government should help a lot more then they do instead of buying more weapons and expensive plane rides with top of line foods ,not just them everyone in this world should help others put race and Politics aside think as human beings helping 1 another in your own country first ,cause if you can't fix your own how can you fix others? have a great day or night all:)))

There is not just one answer for why some are homeless nor just one solution to fix it.

I myself have been lucky not to have fallen within that realm. But it could happen to anyone at any given moment.... I'm blessed that if things got that bad I would have a place to stay within my family. Some are not so lucky..........

It is a very serious issue and it is sad to see or hear of...

there would be a lot more homeless if they did not have room mates at age 30 plus.. for cripes sakes when i was 20 yrs old it was unheard of a 40 yr old having a room mate! take a look around at how many 40 yr olds plus have room mates these days!

low wages if any wages at all causes this problem as compared to the cost of living.. i dont know what a 40 hour week at minimum wage is.. its looking good to me right now though with no job.. however i highly doubt that the weeks wage is equal to my 240 electric bill i had last month.

I think extended families are great. Its kind of strange all the 'independence' our culture promotes and almost MANDATES to value ourselves as individuals


none of us are islands unto ourself, we all need support of some type
as long as we all contribute, I dont see why roommates should ever be stigmatized....