Why would anyone ‘choose’ homelessness?

Here are some of the reasons why people become and stay homeless, in no particular order but the most obvious first. Lack of affordable housing. Inadequate mental health services. Drug and alcohol addiction. Lack of support for the addicted. Easy access to opiates and meth. Low wages for low skilled jobs. Bankruptcy due to medical costs. Inability to work due to injury or illness. Disabilities that don’t qualify for Regional Center services, such as fetal alcohol syndrome, brain injuries sustained after age 18, etc.

Generational poverty. Childhood trauma. PTSD in vets. Childhood trauma compounded by military service. Disintegrating family structure. Disintegrating community in general. Separation from family or other natural supports. Needing to flee an abusive relationship. No connection to anyone with resources to help out. Disasters like the Camp Fire. Inadequate transitional housing.

Deteriorating mental health once person is on the streets, due to stress and sleep deprivation. No place to shave and shower for a job interview. No way to charge a cell phone. No way to maintain a regular schedule when you’re always being moved. No way to come up with first, last and a deposit. Disillusionment and despair. There are many more, but I am going to run out of words.

The point being that the notion people choose homelessness and then stay homeless because organizations like Chico Friends on the Streets offer a pair of socks, a bag of food and a kind word is ludicrous. So why do people choose to believe it?