What happens to homeless people without shelter?

Answer 1

The answer to this question depends on the working definition of shelter which you are using. If you mean by 'shelter' any type of permanent standing structure such as an emergency facility for nightly stay, or some type of center to be in during the day, or even a house or apartment, then the answer could include some of the following:

- Often persons living without shelter will form a type of 'tent city' under a bridge or in a wooded area out of the sight of the public.

- During the day, homeless persons roam the street, bored with nothing to do, so these persons may purchase alcohol or drugs to pass time.

- Sometimes, if allowed, persons will spend the day in the local library.

- I have had some persons tell me that they purchase a movie ticket and spend the day sneaking from screening to screening.

- persons may at times try to check into a hospital at night so that they can have a bed. This is done by rehearsed explanation of symptoms (chest pains, trouble breathing, etc.)

in relation to health concerns due to a lack of shelter

- severe sunburns are a definite possibility

- beatings (or 'getting jumped') sometimes happen, due to conflict with other homeless, drug dealers, or persons who just may be looking to beat up a bum.

- malnutrition because of the lack of ready availability of healthy food. The only affordable options sometimes are fast food restaurants which have dollar menus.

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A person who does not have a consistent physical address will find it impossible to gain work in a formal setting (that is, through any company or organization whether it be fast food, industry etc.) unless there is a labor ready force available. Even if labor ready is available, the jobs are not guaranteed (for the most part the jobs are first come first serve), nor are they permanent (there are some exceptions). Therefore, anything more than emergency shelter is expensive, or an impossibility to access, due to costs for utility or apartment/house deposits and the nonexistence of steady income.