About

What is Homelessness?
When I first started this my personal thoughts on homelessness was

It was someone else's problem.
They lived on the street because they wanted to be there.
It was their fault or doing that put them there.


I can say I was wrong in every way. In fact, I have been homeless now twice in my life. I would be on the streets if it weren't for families and friends. I want to help, and as I talk to people, they also want to help but don't know how. Below you will find a lot of honesty, possibly too much.

Homeless people are those who have run into a wall in life and need their community's assistance. Most do not want to live off "the system" and want to live the American dream. They've fallen and need our empathy and kindness. It is not just a handout, which will never solve the problem.

Those who are homeless have:

Bigger hearts than many of us.
Most do not want to be homeless.
1 in 4 are dealing with some type of mental illness.
Women who are victims of domestic violence.
Housing costs are too high (above 30% of their income was spent on housing).
81% are male, 29% are female.
11% of homeless are veterans (male and female).
The average age is 45.9.
Many homeless live in cars, family & friend's houses, and motel rooms and are not counted by "the system."
One homeless person that doesn't want to be homeless is one too many!