http://www.donrearic.com/homeless.htm

There but for the grace of god, go I.

Very interesting. Thanks much for sharing.

I used to work for a homeless agency (social services and a shelter) and have done volunteer outreach to the homeless here in Chicago. I've often thought it would be a good project to come up with some real practical tips, tricks of the trade, if you will, for people in these situations (beyond the "approved" avenues of applying for benefits, attending job readiness training, etc.). There are some very clever folks out there and, while you don't necessarily want to keep someone in a homeless situation, getting oneself out of homelessness is usually a months-long or years-long proposition.

It does seem that the homeless experience varies widely by location. In Chicago, there are not enough shelter beds for the massive numbers of homeless people, so you will find folks on Lower Wacker (a long, winding street under downtown) or in the parks. Many prefer to stay out of the shelters, just as this gentleman did, due to crime and for hygienic reasons. As far as meals go, though, there are neighborhoods where guys would tell me that they could get "four squares a day" if they wanted them. Not the case in every neighborhood, though, but where I worked a person "out on the trail" may be miserable for many reasons but not for lack of food.

Thanks again. Excellent to hear the urban angle.

Oh, and a "12 gauge zip gun"? Ouch...on both ends.

Thanks for posting, it was real interesting to read. It keeps my attention to read the whole thing when the writer actually experiences something but still comes across as being open-minded. In other words, he doesn't claim to be a "know-it-all." That makes all the difference to myself as a reader.

Excellent read. First hand info is always worthwhile.

I first saw this on the Plainsman's Cabin web site, here: http://www.stormloader.com/plainsman/TheJoysofBeingHomeless.htm

That web site has some other interesting stuff too.
http://www.stormloader.com/plainsman/PlainsmansCabin.html