[prewett]

The article complains a lot about how the homeless are treated, but I don't think he is very representative of the homeless population in general. Maybe in Fresno, but in Austin, many of the homeless you see out on the streets are alcoholics or trying to make a living without working. One woman I knew who worked with the homeless said that most of them are trying to avoid responsibility, and a guy I know who used to give out sack lunches to the homeless near campus eventually stopped because after talking to them he realized they weren't just unlucky, they'd chosen that lifestyle. I assume that those who don't want to be homeless have a tendency to go to the ARCH, which has training programs and long-term residency.

[Raplh]

I would consider that this guy, being actually homeless, is at least as valuable a source on homelessness as a woman you knew who worked with them.

I suspect that more generally than being alcoholics, these are people who are mentally ill to some extent. I liked this essay (and others from this writer) because this is a homeless guy I could identify with. I could read his stuff and not think this was some situation which could never come close to happening to me or someone I would care about.