567,715 people, which makes seventeen out of every 10,000, had experienced homelessness on a typical night in January 2019, according to HUD’s Annual Point-in-Time Count. The number makes up more residents than some rural states.
Meanwhile, a recent study showed that pandemic-induced crises in the economy, unemployment, and housing market could lead to a 45% spike in overall homelessness within 1 year. Living without a home is now a real threat to many Americans, and as hard as it is to talk about this problem, one person stood up and shared practical tips on surviving homelessness.
“I cannot tell you how it hurts me to have to write this,” the man who has lived without shelter and had to car camp at some point in his life said in the honest post on Imgur. He then proceeded to list all the know-how useful for anyone who may ever find themselves in this stressful situation.
In these critical times, homelessness is becoming a real threat to many Americans
Image credits: Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune (not the actual photo)
The former homeless person shared practical tips on how to live without a home in this honest post
HUD’s Point in Time (PIT) count is the most widely used measure to identify the number of homeless people in the US. However, it’s believed that the PIT count’s number of 567,715, referring to the homeless people on a single night in January, doesn’t represent the whole picture.
First of all, The National Coalition for the Homeless points out that the PIT count doesn’t count individuals who became homeless recently and who are staying in supportive housing. According to Bloomberg CityLab, this population added up to 503,473 in 2017 and pushed the total count of homeless people in the US above 1 million.
Secondly, PIT Count takes place in January, which is believed to suppress the results, because people deliberately use any sources they can to find shelter during the coldest months of the year.
And thirdly, PIT Count doesn’t account for people who are in constant danger of losing any shelter as they rely on friends, relatives, sleeping in cars, and the good will of others.
And this is what others had to comment
It's quite sad the people in one of the richest countries in the world need to have a guide for homelessness. People in those "shithole socialist" countries do not have these worries. The US should look at Finland and learn that homelessness can be solved.
In fact, they need a guide how not too starve. This is outrageous!
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Hans is outraged!!! Look out.
Everybody here is too afraid of somebody else getting something for free (except corporations) so they all end up with nothing.
We do have homeless people in Finland, but of course the numbers are low. Mostly people who have fucked up their lives with drugs or alcohol and not willing to do anything about it, but there are normal people that just fall through the cracs.
@Xian Jaguar, ignorance may be bliss, but gaining a better understanding of the facts around a problem brings open horizons to closed minds. Let me recommend: https://mahb.stanford.edu/library-item/yet-another-emerging-global-crisis-homelessness/
Monika Soffronow easy
While there are people in the US that have fallen homeless due to crises or healthcare debt, most of them are also there due to drug and alcohol abuse. If you are in deep crisis and you are a "normal" person, you have a social network that is going to help you. Also in the US there is an incredible amount of charity organizations and volunteering. If you are clean and try hard, you can get out of the hole. Most of the charities require you to join a program to rid yourself of addiction. That is why many of the homeless people cannot get out of it: they cannot or don't have the will power to overcome addiction
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
That's how it is in the US too. Mostly people who fucked up their lives with drugs or alcohol. Good people sometimes become homeless, but it's generally a very temporary thing and the US has a lot of resources for people who need a hand up for a temporary amount of time.
I completely agree. As some state, yes: there are homeless people in Finland or any normal country too, but the social welfare system makes a tremendous difference. It can mean the difference between living or death. I'd happily pay more taxes and know that everyone is contributing to helping those in need. I don't understand how homelessness and its consequences are going to be a reality for hard working people. How are whole families with kids going to survive? I really hope miracles do exist...
I'm sorry, the Nordic countries, including Finland do have their fair share of homeless... maybe homeless for different reasons but still homeless
According to Wil: "everyone with a clear vision on matters can see that it fails in every aspect of humanity, compassion and support for the people that can't make it despite their best efforts." WTF!?!? Wil is not familiar with the phenomenon of refugees from across the globe doing everything they can to come to America for a better life. America is the most charitable and compassionate nation on Earth. Wil definitely has a chip on his shoulder about America .....why Wil, why? Relax Buddy. Clutch your iPhone a little less tightly. Breathe. You'll be okay.
Parts of mainly northern Europe have a problem with homeless beggars who are in fact trafficking victims, forced to beg and allowed to keep only a very small amount. There are also some who are seasonal beggars of their own accord, owing to high unemployment, discrimination of marginalized minorities in their home countries and above all the differences in living standards between 'Affluent Europe' and the poorest of 'Poor Europe'.
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Even though I also feel that the Nordic countries are the ones that have a greater standard of living, you cannot compare a country with what, 10 million people with a lot of territory, mostly educated, extremely low crime rate, etc, with a country like the USA. This is a chicken and egg situation: what was first, a "better" society or the government initiatives to promote such society? We cannot know. And even if the USA wanted to go that way, again, it is not easy at all with a huge country with 350+ million people
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Wil, you've been waiting your whole life for this post! Go buddy, go! Finland Finland Finland!!
I really pity you. You are so convinced that the US is really doing great, while everyone with a clear vision on matters can see that it fails in every aspect of humanity, compassion and support for the people that can't make it despite their best efforts. Your land of milk and honey has turned into a hell of sour cream and vinegar for a lot of your fellow Americans and you do not even seem to care. But there we are; you are bashing me for pointing out how your society fails to be human and obviously you are very proud that the US doesn't seem to care for the needy and the poor. I wonder who is the real jerk here...
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What is it with the levels of propaganda coming out of Europe or are you just that ignorant of your own countries? America does have a homeless problem that is sad and needs better funding to help. But those levels are far less than many of the European countries that a lot of you self righteous hypocrites call home. Homeless per 10,000 population: USA=17, France=21, Germany=79, Ireland=21, Luxembourg=28, Netherlands=23, Sweden=36, UK=46. Extras: Canada=36, Australia=47. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_homeless_population#:~:text=%20%20%20%20Country%20%20%20,Homelessness%20in%20Italy%20%2038%20more%20rows%20
Well, we (the rest of the world) are pretty sick of hearing the American propaganda. Which we do hear in disproportionate amounts beacause of American cultural imperialism. So sprouting your own is a natural counter reaction. Perhaps one day we could go back to just facts, but I am not holding my breath.
If you dig a bit, you see this data is not comparable: they don't use the same measurement method per country. That being said, Europe does have a homelessness problem. Even though income is less of a problem because of the social welfare net, housing is abusively expensive, social housing is insufficient, the administrative situation can be a nightmare and landlords are "selective", meaning it is extremely hard to get out of homelessness once you're trapped. The "propaganda" I think is about trying to dispel the conservative lie that social programs are bad.
What seems like a total lack of a welfare state in the USA keeps astonishing me. This not how a first world country should look like.
Most of us agree. But we are ruled by the greedy rich, who only care about profit. It's sickening. This greed is what got us tRump.
Sadly, it is a direct consequence of the myth that is 'the American Dream' and the attitudes that encompasses: the oft-repeated belief that if you simply work hard enough and persevere you will succeed and become wealthy, while being completely ignorant of the reality that for one to acquire great wealth others will have far less.
Peter, sounds like Max Weber's "Protestant ethics and the spirit of capitalism" (if that's how it sounds in English): if you're poor, it's your fault, or even more, it's a sign God hasn't blessed you
I agree with you. The US is supposed to be the greatest country in the world and yet we have so many problems. Anytime someone mentions these problems they are told by the Republicans that if they don't like the way things are they can get out. A lot of us Americans want things to be different, but like Liz said the greedy rich control everything.
It's been a long time since the U.S. ceased to be a "1st world" country.
Manuel Delgado follower
If you follow the Cold War definition of a 1st world country, the US has doubled down on being the 1st world country since Trump took office.
Unfortunately, welfare is totally misused in many cases. I have met people on welfare, and most don't want to be on it. However, I have met those that tell me "why should I look for a job? I make about $XX an hour, doing nothing." So on both sides, there is a good and bad of US welfare. It used to do good, but now, many bad apples have spoiled the whole bunch. Welfare was never made to be a life choice.
K.LNU, these 'welfare profiters' exist everywhere. Still I'd rather have some of my tax money get 'lost' on these people than have homeless people living in their cars.
Just reading the first few pieces of advise make the homeless in America sound really well off. In SA it means washing in a river, looking for scraps in a dustbin and begging on street corners. Forget thinking of a cellphone, gym or a car. Huge difference between 1st and 3rd world issues.
Not really. While I acknowledge that there is huge divide between 1st and 3rd world problems, when you are homeless America is the worst place to be. Everything here costs $. In SA, there are places to park or live, here everything is owned by someone. In general, in SA you have more people that are poor, so they can empathize with your situation. Here you get branded as lazy or choosing to be homeless you can live off the system. There is a widely held (false) belief that you can eat well, live in a free apartment, have all of your utilities and medical needs taken care of just by holding out your hand. Also I have found that the help people are willing to give is inversely proportional to how much they have. It must be an empathy thing. Without money, the average American doesn't see you as a person but rather as something that is taking from them. Truth is being poor sucks for anyone anywhere. And I know if I'm hungry, I'd rather not have a pile of fatties looking down their noses
Interesting points on how America views the homeless- thank you. Don't get me wrong- we have the 'beggars' who are collected in smart cars at the end of the day, the woman who uses her child as a ploy, and still others who use disabled people to gain sympathy (they can also be involved in a ring where someone then gets a cut of their days takings). It puts those who are in dire need of assistance in a very negative light because people cannot differentiate between those who need help and those that are playing on emotions, and eventually you can become immune to their plight. There are places where you can purchase booklets with coupons for free meals at the night shelter and give these to the homeless (I wish they would implement the idea across SA), but there are a ridiculous number of beggars who shun that and only want money, normally for drugs or drink. It's a very sad situation.
Noooo, in no way is it as bad as many third world countries where even little kids can be left to run homeless. It's not great here, but I'd rather be homeless here, although Europe would probably be better.
I don't eat fat people either. It is unhealthy. (sarcasm that wasn't asked for)
"Why Earning More Means Caring Less, According to Science. Science is conclusive: the richer you are the less compassionate you're likely to be." nc.com/jessica-stillman/the-science-of-scrooge-why-wealth-kills-empathy.html#:~:text=Researchers%20believe%20that%20becoming%20wealthier,may%20care%20about%20their%20feelings.
Well said.
Ok Beaver, move the Hell out of here or make things better.
There are different levels of homelessness. This is advice for surviving the first level, where you still have resources and friends. There are also people begging on street corners, washing in rivers and sleeping on the street in America but there are soon going to be a lot more of the 'still got a car and cellphone and friends' type of homeless.
Why don't you come to my city and I will drive you past the dozen of tent encampments and you can tell the folks living there how "well off" they are. I am sure they will LOVE to hear it
Newly homeless people still have some of the comforts of full citizenry. There are certain things you should hold onto if you can.
Those are also tips for people losing their jobs due to Covid, so they are assuming you have a car, have some money, had a job not that long ago. A lot of this is about preperation (plan beforehand, pay off things you won't have money for later), and they probably won't work after a year or two, but if job opportunities open up again after Covid they hopefully won't have to.
We don’t realize how good even our homeless have it compared to 3rd. Most California cities give you drugs or 5 star Hotel.
This comment has been deleted.
RL - i totally agree. In 1st world countries there is always help when you need it. There's food given and places to sleep for free. If you're going to be homeless then America is a good place to be.
There is not always a place to sleep, as evidenced by the amount of people sleeping in parks and under bridges. Our resources are not infinite.
@Xian Jaguar. Sources, or ... you think you know but you really just hope it is like that. Can someone from Salt Lake City who is either homeless or working with homeless people please comment?
Potato: The people sleeping in parks WANT to do that. I know. Salt Lake City has been trying to tackle its homeless problem. We have MANY shelters, and can house hundreds of people. But the ones in parks are the ones who literally refuse the offer. Our police go from park to park during the cold season, offering to drive people to a homeless shelter, and many refuse. You cannot FORCE someone to go to a shelter.
It's quite sad the people in one of the richest countries in the world need to have a guide for homelessness. People in those "shithole socialist" countries do not have these worries. The US should look at Finland and learn that homelessness can be solved.
In fact, they need a guide how not too starve. This is outrageous!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Hans is outraged!!! Look out.
Everybody here is too afraid of somebody else getting something for free (except corporations) so they all end up with nothing.
We do have homeless people in Finland, but of course the numbers are low. Mostly people who have fucked up their lives with drugs or alcohol and not willing to do anything about it, but there are normal people that just fall through the cracs.
@Xian Jaguar, ignorance may be bliss, but gaining a better understanding of the facts around a problem brings open horizons to closed minds. Let me recommend: https://mahb.stanford.edu/library-item/yet-another-emerging-global-crisis-homelessness/
Monika Soffronow easy
While there are people in the US that have fallen homeless due to crises or healthcare debt, most of them are also there due to drug and alcohol abuse. If you are in deep crisis and you are a "normal" person, you have a social network that is going to help you. Also in the US there is an incredible amount of charity organizations and volunteering. If you are clean and try hard, you can get out of the hole. Most of the charities require you to join a program to rid yourself of addiction. That is why many of the homeless people cannot get out of it: they cannot or don't have the will power to overcome addiction
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
That's how it is in the US too. Mostly people who fucked up their lives with drugs or alcohol. Good people sometimes become homeless, but it's generally a very temporary thing and the US has a lot of resources for people who need a hand up for a temporary amount of time.
I completely agree. As some state, yes: there are homeless people in Finland or any normal country too, but the social welfare system makes a tremendous difference. It can mean the difference between living or death. I'd happily pay more taxes and know that everyone is contributing to helping those in need. I don't understand how homelessness and its consequences are going to be a reality for hard working people. How are whole families with kids going to survive? I really hope miracles do exist...
I'm sorry, the Nordic countries, including Finland do have their fair share of homeless... maybe homeless for different reasons but still homeless
According to Wil: "everyone with a clear vision on matters can see that it fails in every aspect of humanity, compassion and support for the people that can't make it despite their best efforts." WTF!?!? Wil is not familiar with the phenomenon of refugees from across the globe doing everything they can to come to America for a better life. America is the most charitable and compassionate nation on Earth. Wil definitely has a chip on his shoulder about America .....why Wil, why? Relax Buddy. Clutch your iPhone a little less tightly. Breathe. You'll be okay.
Parts of mainly northern Europe have a problem with homeless beggars who are in fact trafficking victims, forced to beg and allowed to keep only a very small amount. There are also some who are seasonal beggars of their own accord, owing to high unemployment, discrimination of marginalized minorities in their home countries and above all the differences in living standards between 'Affluent Europe' and the poorest of 'Poor Europe'.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Even though I also feel that the Nordic countries are the ones that have a greater standard of living, you cannot compare a country with what, 10 million people with a lot of territory, mostly educated, extremely low crime rate, etc, with a country like the USA. This is a chicken and egg situation: what was first, a "better" society or the government initiatives to promote such society? We cannot know. And even if the USA wanted to go that way, again, it is not easy at all with a huge country with 350+ million people
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Wil, you've been waiting your whole life for this post! Go buddy, go! Finland Finland Finland!!
I really pity you. You are so convinced that the US is really doing great, while everyone with a clear vision on matters can see that it fails in every aspect of humanity, compassion and support for the people that can't make it despite their best efforts. Your land of milk and honey has turned into a hell of sour cream and vinegar for a lot of your fellow Americans and you do not even seem to care. But there we are; you are bashing me for pointing out how your society fails to be human and obviously you are very proud that the US doesn't seem to care for the needy and the poor. I wonder who is the real jerk here...
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
What is it with the levels of propaganda coming out of Europe or are you just that ignorant of your own countries? America does have a homeless problem that is sad and needs better funding to help. But those levels are far less than many of the European countries that a lot of you self righteous hypocrites call home. Homeless per 10,000 population: USA=17, France=21, Germany=79, Ireland=21, Luxembourg=28, Netherlands=23, Sweden=36, UK=46. Extras: Canada=36, Australia=47. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_homeless_population#:~:text=%20%20%20%20Country%20%20%20,Homelessness%20in%20Italy%20%2038%20more%20rows%20
Well, we (the rest of the world) are pretty sick of hearing the American propaganda. Which we do hear in disproportionate amounts beacause of American cultural imperialism. So sprouting your own is a natural counter reaction. Perhaps one day we could go back to just facts, but I am not holding my breath.
If you dig a bit, you see this data is not comparable: they don't use the same measurement method per country. That being said, Europe does have a homelessness problem. Even though income is less of a problem because of the social welfare net, housing is abusively expensive, social housing is insufficient, the administrative situation can be a nightmare and landlords are "selective", meaning it is extremely hard to get out of homelessness once you're trapped. The "propaganda" I think is about trying to dispel the conservative lie that social programs are bad.
What seems like a total lack of a welfare state in the USA keeps astonishing me. This not how a first world country should look like.
Most of us agree. But we are ruled by the greedy rich, who only care about profit. It's sickening. This greed is what got us tRump.
Sadly, it is a direct consequence of the myth that is 'the American Dream' and the attitudes that encompasses: the oft-repeated belief that if you simply work hard enough and persevere you will succeed and become wealthy, while being completely ignorant of the reality that for one to acquire great wealth others will have far less.
Peter, sounds like Max Weber's "Protestant ethics and the spirit of capitalism" (if that's how it sounds in English): if you're poor, it's your fault, or even more, it's a sign God hasn't blessed you
I agree with you. The US is supposed to be the greatest country in the world and yet we have so many problems. Anytime someone mentions these problems they are told by the Republicans that if they don't like the way things are they can get out. A lot of us Americans want things to be different, but like Liz said the greedy rich control everything.
It's been a long time since the U.S. ceased to be a "1st world" country.
Manuel Delgado follower
If you follow the Cold War definition of a 1st world country, the US has doubled down on being the 1st world country since Trump took office.
Unfortunately, welfare is totally misused in many cases. I have met people on welfare, and most don't want to be on it. However, I have met those that tell me "why should I look for a job? I make about $XX an hour, doing nothing." So on both sides, there is a good and bad of US welfare. It used to do good, but now, many bad apples have spoiled the whole bunch. Welfare was never made to be a life choice.
K.LNU, these 'welfare profiters' exist everywhere. Still I'd rather have some of my tax money get 'lost' on these people than have homeless people living in their cars.
Just reading the first few pieces of advise make the homeless in America sound really well off. In SA it means washing in a river, looking for scraps in a dustbin and begging on street corners. Forget thinking of a cellphone, gym or a car. Huge difference between 1st and 3rd world issues.
Not really. While I acknowledge that there is huge divide between 1st and 3rd world problems, when you are homeless America is the worst place to be. Everything here costs $. In SA, there are places to park or live, here everything is owned by someone. In general, in SA you have more people that are poor, so they can empathize with your situation. Here you get branded as lazy or choosing to be homeless you can live off the system. There is a widely held (false) belief that you can eat well, live in a free apartment, have all of your utilities and medical needs taken care of just by holding out your hand. Also I have found that the help people are willing to give is inversely proportional to how much they have. It must be an empathy thing. Without money, the average American doesn't see you as a person but rather as something that is taking from them. Truth is being poor sucks for anyone anywhere. And I know if I'm hungry, I'd rather not have a pile of fatties looking down their noses
Interesting points on how America views the homeless- thank you. Don't get me wrong- we have the 'beggars' who are collected in smart cars at the end of the day, the woman who uses her child as a ploy, and still others who use disabled people to gain sympathy (they can also be involved in a ring where someone then gets a cut of their days takings). It puts those who are in dire need of assistance in a very negative light because people cannot differentiate between those who need help and those that are playing on emotions, and eventually you can become immune to their plight. There are places where you can purchase booklets with coupons for free meals at the night shelter and give these to the homeless (I wish they would implement the idea across SA), but there are a ridiculous number of beggars who shun that and only want money, normally for drugs or drink. It's a very sad situation.
Noooo, in no way is it as bad as many third world countries where even little kids can be left to run homeless. It's not great here, but I'd rather be homeless here, although Europe would probably be better.
I don't eat fat people either. It is unhealthy. (sarcasm that wasn't asked for)
"Why Earning More Means Caring Less, According to Science. Science is conclusive: the richer you are the less compassionate you're likely to be." nc.com/jessica-stillman/the-science-of-scrooge-why-wealth-kills-empathy.html#:~:text=Researchers%20believe%20that%20becoming%20wealthier,may%20care%20about%20their%20feelings.
Well said.
Ok Beaver, move the Hell out of here or make things better.
There are different levels of homelessness. This is advice for surviving the first level, where you still have resources and friends. There are also people begging on street corners, washing in rivers and sleeping on the street in America but there are soon going to be a lot more of the 'still got a car and cellphone and friends' type of homeless.
Why don't you come to my city and I will drive you past the dozen of tent encampments and you can tell the folks living there how "well off" they are. I am sure they will LOVE to hear it
Newly homeless people still have some of the comforts of full citizenry. There are certain things you should hold onto if you can.
Those are also tips for people losing their jobs due to Covid, so they are assuming you have a car, have some money, had a job not that long ago. A lot of this is about preperation (plan beforehand, pay off things you won't have money for later), and they probably won't work after a year or two, but if job opportunities open up again after Covid they hopefully won't have to.
We don’t realize how good even our homeless have it compared to 3rd. Most California cities give you drugs or 5 star Hotel.
This comment has been deleted.
RL - i totally agree. In 1st world countries there is always help when you need it. There's food given and places to sleep for free. If you're going to be homeless then America is a good place to be.
There is not always a place to sleep, as evidenced by the amount of people sleeping in parks and under bridges. Our resources are not infinite.
@Xian Jaguar. Sources, or ... you think you know but you really just hope it is like that. Can someone from Salt Lake City who is either homeless or working with homeless people please comment?
Potato: The people sleeping in parks WANT to do that. I know. Salt Lake City has been trying to tackle its homeless problem. We have MANY shelters, and can house hundreds of people. But the ones in parks are the ones who literally refuse the offer. Our police go from park to park during the cold season, offering to drive people to a homeless shelter, and many refuse. You cannot FORCE someone to go to a shelter.