I get so sick of those who lump the Homeless into one category.

[Archae]

I was homeless once, because I fled a guy who moved into my apartment without anyone's permission.

But people who are homeless have to be dealt with on an individual basis.

If they have mental problems, they need to get help.

Likewise drug and/or alcohol problems.

We can't just lump all of them together.

[TheKentuckian]

1. I will continue to lump them all as folks who need help, support, and empathy

Anyone that does not fit into that will be considered a rare one off.

[Warpy]

3. And food and clean socks and whatever else they ask for

including money to buy a bottle that will help them not have DTs, something that is 50% fatal if it isn't treated.

The biggest gift I give them, IMO, is not judging them. My own period of living on the street was mercifully brief, but it was there and it was terrible and I learned about how events out of my control could push me back down again at a moment's notice.

It's none of my business why anyone is there now. It's only my business to help out if they make any needs known to me.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. I think it's right wingers who lump homeless into one category

And then the entire society begins to believe it...

[Archae]

4. Unfortunately you're right.

They consider them to be lazy panhandlers who only buy booze or drugs.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. Exactly. Right wingers are not exactly deep thinkers, are they? nt

[A Little Weird]

5. "Please Don't Call Me Homeless"

Last year I watched a performance - "Please don't call me homeless, I won't call you homed" - that was performed by some local people without homes. They were basically telling their own stories. It was really moving and informative.

I think it's because there are so many types of homelessness/reasons for homelessness that it's such a difficult problem to address.

I know they have these plays all across the country, if you see one in your area, I encourage you to watch.