There
are many causes of homelessness, as many as homeless people I think. They are
all ages and all backgrounds.
At
first glance when you see a homeless person you feel that it is because of alcohol and
poverty problems, especially in Poland. Try to talk with them and you will
become more aware and surprised.
Sometimes it is hard to believe whether stories from
their life are true but you never know. I remember one man about forty-five /fifty years old. I spoke with him close to the Central Station, near Pałac Kultury. He said that he was a soldier in Iraq, and he saw
his friends dying. It could be true or not, I don’t know. It was quite
surprising for me. Even if it was a lie there was something amiss with that
man.
Another one had a little social flat
close to Metro Centrum Station. Very small one, only a room with a bed and table, he was sharing a bathroom. He lived there with a cat. It was
something like a place to sleep. He was spending all his time on the street
with homeless people, his friends. It is hard to understand them, but it is easy to say that they are
to blame for their bad situation.
There is an opinion that no one is
immune from the possibility of being homeless. Common people without friends
and family support can be exposed to becoming homeless as well. Homelessness is
rarely a choice.
For many people it is difficult, if not
impossible to pay rent or make mortgage payments. In
many areas, working full time for a minimum wage isn't enough to pay
for your rent, utilities and food.
There is one more
very interesting taboo reason why the young are homeles. It comes from problems
with relationships between parents and their children. Parents can’t accept their children's sexual orientation, different religious or beliefs. Another problem is
violence; some homeless teens were brutally threatened with
death or thrown from their home by force.
Homelessness is not
something that happens to addicts and bad people. It could happen to anyone.
Present a few reasons
why people become homeless.
Under what circumstances could you become homeless?
sources:
http://www.squidoo.com/Reasons_for_Homelessness
Most of the people feel well only when they are accepted by other people. I can imagine situation, when only one the homeless people can be forgiving for someone, and they can be only group which gives a sense of membership.
ReplyDeleteHomelessness is very tough topic, because most of us are afraid of it. It can affect every of us, and it can not depend on our decisions.
There are plenty of causes, which can lead to homelessness. It can be because of losing a job, eviction. Death of our closest family member can cause that too. But we must remember that it can be conscious decision. Likewise, there can be plenty of reasons why someone could make that decision.
I don't know under what circumstances could I be the homeless person. I do appreciate my current standard of living and I can not imagine what would force me to this. I think only loss of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE could cause that, but even then I would do anything to prevent that situation. It's hard question.
I agree with you, that very often, when we see homeless people we thinh that it is becouse of alcohol. In my opinion homelessness is a very serious social problem today. We can see people who don't have home in the buses, at bus stops, on a park bench, etc. I think there are many reasons why people become homeless. For example natural disasters. People often lose their accommodation by hurricanes, earthquakes. Many people experience homelessness because unemployment. They don't have job, don't have money for house, for life, so they must leave their houses, start hard life on the street. Often the homeless are the divorced people who had to leave the house and have no money to live and work. I believe that homelessness is a big problem. Especially in the big cities and the government should do something about it.
ReplyDeleteHomelessness is a really big problem nowadays. People should remember that not only alcohol and drugs can cause it, but also some misadventures. One day we can have a job, money, family and happiness, but another day everything can change severely and suddenly, change into ruin. Some natural disasters can take our family irrevocably. We feel emptiness without a loved one. We haven't got any outlooks for our future. We see it in black colors and don't have strenght to change something in our life. After some time it becomes really hard to escape from surrounding of homelless people. In my opinion people are afraid of helping these kind of people and both our and government's help is too small.
ReplyDeleteThat's true - many people think that the main reason for homelessness is alcohol. In my opinion it's only stereotype. Few years ago I met a man, who became a homeless when his wife left him. Earlier, he has worked as a academic lecturer. He said, some people wanted to help him, offered job, but he decided to stay on the street, with anothers, who are his new family.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with your opinion about children homeless. I think it doesn't comes from issues related with sexual orientation or religious.
I think one of biggest reasons of being homeless is lack of relational strains between people. When persons lose their friends and families they can very easily get into trouble. It’s true that 36% of homeless people are alcohol addicted and 28% abuse other substances. But for me Government shouldn’t fight with alcohol but with reasons of alcoholism like unemployment, low level of education. For me important is awareness that can I count on someone or something- if it’s can’t be family or work mates is should be country. I found some data about that 50% of homeless women and children are victims of a domestic violence. If we can’t efficiently fight with Violence In families we cannot win with homeless people problem.
ReplyDeleteHomeless people have a lot of improbable stories, but in my opinion most of them are just their imagination. You wrote about man, who said he was soldier in Iraq. So, I remember man, who tried to convince me, that he was in general Anders’ army. He was also in Iraq, he was in Iran, in Palestina. But that was 70 years ago! And he was 40 years old. Not more than 50.
ReplyDeleteSo and you ask when I can become homeless. I think – never. Come on, if we, young people, can handle with job market, with all of these adversities, we can avoid homelessness. Even if you become homeless, fight for better future. If you do it as good as you can, you will change your life.
I think that in many cases the reason is shame, e.g: Someone comes from village and family has invested in this person. He is working in big city and everybody from family hope that he bring the money. After short time he lost the job and he can't find new. He is jobless and homeless. He could come back village but he doesn't. Why? because family trust him and he come back barehanded. He think, that it is better to dissapear..I heard about this kind of situation and I think it is very dificult and I can't understand, because for me family is the sheet-anchor
ReplyDeleteHomelessness is really big problem today. Differences between rich people and poor people are very visible. Great example is position of people who live in India like in film "Slumdog" I always feel uncomfortable when I see a beggar on the streets in Warsaw everyday. You wrote a lot of truth in your presentation. We never think that we can not become a homeless. Some circumstances may lead to trouble and we aren't aware of it how it may change our lifes. This phenomenon is not choice. Instead of sympathy or indifference we should listen to homelessness people and their reasons why they are in this situation. May we help them?
ReplyDeleteNowadays there are many homeless people in every country. Statistics shows only tip of the iceberg. Problem is really serious. There is many reason why people become homeless. One of them is alcohol or drugs but even very rich people without any addiction become homeless. They have money, family and next day they have nothing. There can be some disaster in their company or work. Can be some aciddent in their family and then human don't have enaught strong for anything. Homelessness is often a psyhological problem.
ReplyDeleteI think homelessness is a big and ignored problem. Usually when we see a homeless person in the street, we look away and keep walking without feel worry or sadness. Sometimes we give them some money, but it's more common to give money to who are doing something, like mime, magic, or some type of show.
ReplyDeleteThis is a problem ignore for the most goverments too, they usually don't do anything to help this people, or what they do is not enough.
I agree with you that everyone can become a homeless person. Drugs and alcohol can be the origin of the problem, some people can become a homeless due to this, but others can become alcoholic after become a homeless.
Other reason can be simply the bad lucky in your life.
I think if I lose everyone I care, and I lose my job too, it would be very difficult to escape from this situation, and maybe I become a homeless.
For me, homelessness is kind of stereotypical issue, because it is associated with addictions etc. and people put the blame on homeless for their misfortune. Undoubtedly, in many cases, they led themselves to it, but there are many exceptions. For example, I heard of man, who used to live with his wife at her house, but after divorce he had to move out. He had sold his flat earlier, and thus he became homeless. Since then, he just stays at some squats or in his friends flats. There is also another example of retired professor from my town, who, due to bad luck, became homeless and spends whole days at the national library, and sleeps in some abandoned places.
ReplyDeleteIn my case, it would be kind of problematic to become homeless, because my parents made this "ground" safe for me, but, of course, it is possible, that some day I would like to go to Chicago or Manhattan, and because of not having any friends in this area, I could become homeless there.
When I was on a school trip in Tatry mountains, me and my class met a homeless person drinking cheap wine. After a brief conversation, we've learned that he was once a guide, but some tourists (students) whom he was guiding died in avalanche. I don't know if he was telling the truth or not, but I'm sure such traumatic events can cause people to be unable to live like they used to. It can cause homelessness and drinking problems
ReplyDeleteIt shows that there are many reasons of homelessness. Of course including alcohol,drugs or personal vicissitudes. But there are some examples, when people decide to be homeless. It is interesting why they choose this way of existence, especially that having own home is perceived as a one of the most important humans' need. Also many times it was mentioned that homeless people stick together. So I think that it is possible to perceived them as a social group, which always will be in our society.
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the main reason why the people become homeless is that when the family get to be broken. And then husbend or wife must to exit home, and become to get to the ruins. Additionally lack of money starts peoples' problem of homelessness. They can't pay the bills and must exit their home because they can't afford it. And start to live on the streets.
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ReplyDeleteThe problem of homelessness is very serious. There is a stereotype, especially in Poland, that the homeless person is always an alcoholic or drug addict. But that's not true. As you rightly said, there are as many reasons for homelessness as there are homeless people. People end up on the street because of a divorce, financial problems, illness and many other reasons. There is no single reason why this is happening. It happens also that homelessness is by choice. People do not feel accepted by others, they prefer to live on the street and on the margins of society than socializing with the rest of society.
ReplyDeleteI can't answers to the question under what circumstances could I become homeless. It is a really difficult question. I hope that this will never happen.
There are many diffrent reasons that peoples becomes homeless. It can be external factor like lose property, house or rather own desition to separate from their previous life, their family. In the streets we can observe homeless people with many bags next to them. This picture is very sad for me. This is really humiliating when the people who pass him make objective comments about him. I think that is very unfair, because truly they haven't got any idea about him and what contribue to this poor situation.
ReplyDeleteI can't and don't really want to think about myself as a homeless person. It is at many levels disturbing. Mostly because one of main reasons I can think of is having no one to provide for me in hour of need. That means I have no ties with my family and/or closest friends.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about other reasons. At least I hope I'm not thinking about topic throughtfully.
I've never before thought about this whole "homeless thing" but I suppose that the main reason why people become homeless is alcoholism and what goes with that - broken families.
ReplyDeleteI think that becoming homeless doesn't threaten me. At least not in the immediate future.
Homeless is a big problem nowadays. As you said this situation is often connected with difficult life situations such as: divorce, problems with relationships between parents and their children, unemployment mental or physical illness. Rarely is choice. Furthermore ,I also agree that alcohol is a stereotype. And if you ask me when I can become homeless. I think that rather never. I would do anything in to protect myself from this situation
ReplyDeleteI agree with the opinion that homeless can have more complicated problems then other people, but not all of them. I think people became homeless because they want to escape from the problem they are. In Poland we have some organizations who can help this kind of people. We should show them possibilities and not only save them from freezing.
ReplyDeleteHomelessness is surely pretty big problem, but in my opinion there's small amount of sober people without home. I think that it is not so bad in Poland that you can't carry on. Of course, you won't get apartament for your salary when you're not well educated, but if you want - you'll get enough money to live in rented flat and not starving.
ReplyDeleteAlso i think that there're many "ways" to get homeless and of course we should listen to all the homeless because in major there're interesting stories behind that person.
In my opinion three the most serious reasons are bad mental condition, alcohol and drugs. I have spoken with few homeless people and they said there is always alcohol on their way or sometimes drugs. Even if it is not reason, why they became homeless it makes their problematic situation deeper and the worst. Beginning of homelessness can be also caused by bad mental condition. Some people are just week and their have no more power to fight gor better life in some ugly moments of life. They became passive and homeless
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine I become homeless person. I'd fight to the death for normal conditions to live.
Homeless, we have a lot of reasons of it one is a alcoholism, second is a chaise to want live alone and free without problems with family, work. People who homeless in most of example want live alone in group of people who the underused and identify oneself. Some of them want to change they live, we have a lot of organization witch organize a course for that kind of people, programs fighting with alcohol, and free dinner. Is a lot of options to leave that live. But they must want.
ReplyDeleteI think the homeless is something that the homeless people have chosen. I don't mean they are happy of it but in our community there are namy opportunities to live more normally. I met a man some month ago, he was homeless and I asked him: Why are you on the street?" and he answered that he had lost all his family and after that he got to the street. Why do homeless people are not able to look for a help? I don't know but in my opinion to get a help homeless people must fulfill some conditions what is too hard for them or they are thinking the happiness will came what isn't true.
ReplyDeleteI know some poeple who decide to be homeless just because they want to save some money. Some people cannot rant a flat because they salary is insufficient and they need a guarantor, which they don't have. some people decide to be homeless because they like an adventorous life.
ReplyDeleteI would never decide to be homeless. My family supports me a lot.
Homelessness is a terrible phenomenon. The source can be very diverse: from a difficult situation to their own choice. In Poland, there is actually a stereotype that every homeless person is a drunkard, while homelessness reasons can be many: excess credit, job loss, addiction, failed marriage, illness. The scary thing is that people rarely homeless in Poland can count on real support - they are more often the victims of ridicule and even violence. I find it hard to imagine myself in that situation. I hope that I can handle any situation and never have to feel this terrible phenomenon firsthand.
ReplyDeleteYes, we should't judge homelessnes people. We don't know what happened in their life. Maybe they become homeless because he have trouble with many, illness or they quarel someone with family. Often people become homellessness because they run away from home and now they are affraid and don't wants homecoming. Then they find a someone who can understand them, who have a similar problems, finding a diffrenent family...and never back to home.
ReplyDeleteMany people think that the main reason of become homeless is drinking alcohol but there are many reasons why it happens. Right, some people become homeless because of alcohol but not only. When you lose your family or work it's really easy to hit rock bottom. In he text we read he story of few people who before were normal people like us, because they didn't have nobody who could help them. If you don't have a loving family who tell you how you should live it isn't hard to become homeless
ReplyDeleteI thing that alcohol is not the cause of homelessness, may be only one of the factors. If you haven't got a work or your wife want divorce, You can get depressed and then you use the alcohol. In last month I saw document i TVP about a homlessnes peoples. a lot of people in this document was supposed higher education, and the became homlessnes because they had not work.Sometimes when We are see the homlessnes man, let's not tink: that man is alcoholik and now he is homless because he spent money for vodka.I observe economic situation in Poland and I think that these people will be more and more. it's very sad, but it is true
ReplyDeleteHomelessness is a huge problem, but I think that even bigger problem is that homeless people in Poland do not want to let the people help them. They like the streets, get used to it. They do not want to use the shelters, because there they can not drink an alcohol, and the majority of the homeless in Warsaw are people, who are addiction alcoholics. And that's the problem.
ReplyDeleteI can not imagine homelessness. I've never been, fortunately, at the risk of losing my home, but I know that such situations do occur. I spoke once with the homeless, also close to the central station. He told me to remain homeless was his conscious choice. His wife and daughter died, he fell into a depression, and then decided to start being snufkin. I do not know if we can believe this story, but it was the only longer conversation with the homeless in my life.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that people can become homeless if they do not have support from family and friends, or do not have anyone who can assist them. For me, this is the main reason for homelessness. Another reason may be the desire to escape from life. Contrary to appearances, domestic violence, addictions, and various personal problems are frequent. The thought comes to me again: the inability to adapt to new circumstances and bankruptcy. Reasons can be many. Everyone is an individual.
ReplyDeleteI never talked to a homeless person about the problems and the reasons for homelessness. But once I met a girl who was sick with cancer. Her treatment was very expensive, and the family was in debt. They lost almost everything they had, but thanks to the help of friends, who noticed that something was wrong, her family retained the house. If not friends, they probably would not have a place to live.
I agree with the statement that there are many different reasons why people become homeless. The first thing which comes to my mind is domestic violence, it refers especially to women and children, who want to ecsape but do not have any place to go. Many people why experience homelessness ale mantally ill and thet need a special treatment. Another popular problem is alcohol abuse. In my opinion, in terms on homeless people in Poland the biggest issue is that we are interested in their situation only when it is cold and their lives are in danger.
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons why people become homeless. And it is really hard to say because people can have other reasons. But in my opinion people are homeless because they have troubles with alcohol and drugs. I couldn't believe that somebody wants to be homeless and live in the street, in the forest or under the bridge. Sometimes people lost their home and stay alone because their relatives don't live. They have no money and can't rent a flat. But many people don't want to ask for help.
ReplyDeleteMost of the homeless people end up on the street because of poverty caused by many factors, such as unemployment, lack of healthcare, environmental catastrophe ect. I think domestic violence and substance abuse are secondary causes of homelessness. So, I also agree. It isn't easy to point out the one common cause of homelessness. I can't think of any circumstances in which I chose to be I homeless. So it should have been something, which isn't depend on me like natural disaster, war or mental disorder.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine that situation that I'm homeless,but there are different situation in people's lifes. I think that people becaome homeless mostly by the fact that they stop fighting for their family,addictions,carrer and after all they become broke or mentally ill,so they don't see any other enter from that sitaution.They don't know where to looking for a help or they don't want anyone to help them or what to do next with their lifes. It's really hard situation in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteMore and more often we can see the homeless on the street. There are many causes why people lose their job, home, family and they become homeless. Somebody have a problem with drugs, alcohol and somebody lose job or close relative. One thing is certain: everybody have got a huge problem and they can't handle. They go to pieces and their life changes. I feel sorry for them, but I can't help them. They have to pick up the pieces! There are some organizations could which help them. Sometimes they only want to have a friend, they are looking for people who can understand them , it is really overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteLike author said homeless is not only a problem of underclass. They are a lot of another resources next to alcoholism or drugs. For example, young person going abroad, can’t find job, have no money to live on, fill too ashamed to come back to home with nothing, start living on a street. Another, serious illness connected with expensive treatment, loosing job and credit on mortgage. There are a lot of such situations. But each of them have something common. Weak contact with other family members easily bring about homeless.
ReplyDeleteIt is so difficult for me to image situation when I become homeless. Probably like everyone I try to separate from so black scenario. On the other hand when I think about some circumstances which may lead to such situation after less than one second I found someone who I can ask for help. Like I said the key in this situation are strong family ties.
I agree that not only addicted people becomes homeless. Once time I met men who said that he was a judge before, I don't know if he said truth but I think it could happen. Sometimes life can be to hard and people can manage their problems so their starting to have more and more, this causes that they are loosing their jobs and then houses, sometimes family turn their's back on and don't even try to help or don't know why. I think that for some people living on the street is the best soultion because they feel free. But homlessness is a problem that we shouldn't forget about.
ReplyDeleteI think we should not be blamed for stereotypes about street people. I believe that majority of homeless seen on Polish streets are there because of their own decisions. There are institutions which help such people to find work (maybe not the easiest, satisfying and well-paid one but they have to start with something, right?), places where they can take shower and go to sleep - they do not visit them. Why? They have to meet two conditions - be sober and have a will to change their situation. Often it is too much for them - why should they make an effort if life can be so easy? People feed you, give money for the alcohol and cigarettes, you can sleep in the bus (there is always a place for you), you do not have to work and already got used to living on the street... Maybe my opinion is a little violent but why should I indulge and respect those people if they do not care about their own pride? I know that everybody can run into difficulties and end up on the street but it does not explain them messing in the buses or on bus stops (in addition in front of other people). Why am I supposed to try to understand one’s problem if they set me up in such an embarrassing situation? Why should I give money (which I or my parents earned for hard work) to a person like this? I’d rather endow some organization which activate street people and encourage them to change their life. There was mentioned an example of a man who chose life on the street because of difficulties in finding his place in the society – it shows how important activating those people is and this is why I would give money for a goal like this. I am not a monster, I would really like those people to find happiness but I am not able to force them to work or accept rudiments which rule the world. I hope that those who really want to get out of the street will be successful, I believe that their hard work will pay off. I hope that I will never become homeless, I really sympathise people who end up on the street against their will and despite their struggle – I think that it will happen to me only if bad people want to ruin my life because I would do nearly everything to avert living on the street.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the most certain reason of homelessness is your choice. If you didn't want, you wouldn't be there. I know that sometimes you have anyone, you can't live for someone, but homelessness isn't good choice. You should try to work maybe. Surely you have acquaintances. I don't know why people choose poor life without food and shower. Maybe they are alone, and the street is the simpliest choice, you don't have to try, to live. They exist from day to day. What is more, maybe they got into debts, they didn't know what to do, they lost everything. I don't know the solution of this problem. Sometimes we can talk with them, help them, give some food, but we can't solve that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of you that there are many different reasons why people become homeless. We shouldn't believe in stereotypes about homeless people. They're not all alcoholics or drugs addicted. In my opinion one of the most obvious reason of homelessness is the problem in relations within the families. It may seem impossible that some relations between people can be so complicated that could make someone lose a place to live. Unfortunately it happens very often.
ReplyDeleteI hope I would never have such a problem, but sometimes we have no impact on what happens to us and we can't predict our future.
In liberal democracy where dominate capitalist thinking, most of the society think that a poor homless people are become to this state because they don't be as good as it need to be, that they don't strive enough. It means that society think that homless is foult.
ReplyDeleteBut reality shows something diferent. This poor people did't have any possibilty to choose the other way. When you came from inteligentsia family you have more options what to do in your future. When you came from patological family it's harder to chose the best way for you.
We need to have more empathy.
Many people think that the main reason for homelessness is alcohol. I don't agree. In my opinion people become homeless because of problems in their lives like death of loved people, loss of job or money. Homeless are people who in a difficult moment surrendered, they did not have any support or help and alcohol is an escape from their past. Of course alcohol can also cause these problems, but we can not judge these people without knowing the reason.
ReplyDeleteI think that one of the causes of homelessness can be an event in the life of a man which changed his the world completely. The loss of a loved one, problems at home, at work or simply long. Most, of course, will say that an alcohol is a major cause of homelessness. I think there can be much deeper reasons. People who are homeless often have a problem with themselves, and on the street they feel in some way free. It is very often experienced people whose lifes have written a different scripts.
ReplyDeletePresent a few reasons why people become homeless.
ReplyDeleteUnder what circumstances could you become homeless?
People lose their homes for many reasons. Addictions,family conflicts jobless, ilness or human injustice. There are many reasons but all in all, people who are homeless this situation is personal tragedy. The worst thing for these people is not lack of the roof overhead but rejection by other people. I think home is more than 4 walls and roof, it's our family, friends, places where we feel good.
There are a lot of different reasons why people become homeless. A lot of people always live on the streets and never own a place for living. Very often people lose everything they had in some natural disasters, that ruins people's lives. Some times people take some credits, lose their job and can't afford paying bills, rates, etc and they have to give up their houses. It's a very bad experience to be homeless, but reasons for it can be very different.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinnion, there are many reasons of homelessness. It can be a breakdown of a family, violence, AIDS, being addicted to an alcohol...and also an eviction, unemployment, emigration or an even mental illness. Everybody has own problems in his life, but there are some people, who are just not able to find a good solution. Probably they miss a moment, when they lose control and then they find themselves as a homeless.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of reasons why people become homeless. In many cases it is cause by an alcohol, drugs etc. But we can't say that is the only one reason. When people have troubles, for example with their family, job etc, they try to find help. Some of them goes to doctors or some specialists, and the others one for example start drinking alcohol. But there is also another group of people who just want to be free, and they find that freedom on the street. But is this a real home? Without family? That people try to escape from real life, from their problems. But Im sure that the main reason of homelessness is alcohol. It can ruined everything.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting that author of a texts decides to pay attention to the homeless people's life stories. That is true that usually people not only don't want to talk to them, but also even look at them. It easier to just not look. I agree with the statement that in life - you never know. Everyone can end up living in a very terrible conditions, poverty etc. As it is written - homelessness is rarely a choice.
ReplyDelete