[keithpeter]

"Being homeless myself I can say most homeless people I have met do it on choice."

Not so much in the UK. Usually psychiatric illness or drug dependency coupled with a catastrophic loss of income. Perhaps the causes are different in different places. I understand your idea of freedom, but I'm sure you can stay free in a small room somewhere!

[fusiongyro]

Where I am in the US, about a third of the homeless population are mentally ill refusing treatment.

[yaix]

I hope even in the UK, the gov't would pay your housing and basic needs?

[keithpeter]

State benefits are payable, but the statutory right to be housed is for families, not single people. There are not huge numbers of homeless people in most cities, London is the worst of course as might be imagined.

I think there is more of a safety net here than in US, but there are holes in it still.