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Homelessness is a tragic challenge faced by societies worldwide. While it's tempting to attribute it solely to poverty, the reality is much more complex, with various deep-rooted causes. Sadly, it is often the most vulnerable individuals who find themselves without a home. Despite numerous efforts to address the issue, homelessness continues to rise, even in the wealthiest of regions. Below are 10 insights into the harsh reality of homelessness, offering both sorrow and a glimmer of hope.
10. ‘Possessions’
Even the most open-minded individuals often compare themselves to those around them. Our perception of others is deeply influenced by how competent and kind we perceive them to be. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a key role in these judgments, determining to whom we feel empathy and how strongly.
In the article titled “Dehumanizing the Lowest of the Low,” researchers Lasana T. Harris and Susan T. Fiske conducted experiments to understand how the brain perceives different individuals when exposed to cues based on warmth and competence. They discovered that when people viewed the homeless—who are often seen as lacking in both qualities—the brain tended to treat them like animals or objects.
This is concerning on several fronts, especially as this perception is clearly visible in society. A prime example can be seen at the 2012 South By Southwest technology conference in Austin, Texas. The marketing agency BBH presented a strategy where homeless individuals were used as roaming 4G hotspots—a move that many viewed as exploitative, sparking a significant media backlash.
9. Mythology
For many, Miami, Florida is a city that evokes images of lively nightlife, sun-kissed beaches, and stunning women. However, the city is full of contradictions, with its residents reflecting one of the greatest wealth gaps in the United States. The homeless population is substantial, with many children among them. Numerous kids are out of school, living in shelters or makeshift cardboard homes, surviving on scraps. They rarely attend church, watch cartoons, or read books. Interestingly, in this void, the children of Miami created a unique mythology, combining elements of Christianity, Santeria, and global folktales.
A 1997 article by Lynda Edwards, titled “Myths Over Miami,” illustrates this phenomenon: God is believed to have abandoned Earth, fleeing to unknown lands to escape an invasion of demons. One of the most dreaded demons is La Llorona (“The Crying Woman”) or Bloody Mary—figures rooted in Latin American legend. La Llorona sheds blood-filled tears and preys on children’s suffering and deaths. She is opposed by another entity, The Blue Lady—a variation of the Santeria goddess Yemana. Sadly, the myths make no mention of Heaven, only describing an encampment of angelic warriors in the Everglades, their ranks growing through the misfortunes and untimely deaths of the innocent.
In 2000, Disney acquired the rights to “Myths Over Miami,” initially intended as a project for the horror writer Clive Barker, the mind behind the gruesome Hellraiser series and the Candyman films. While the myths themselves might appear to be far-fetched, confirming the truth behind Edwards's reports at this stage would be nearly impossible. Not only does Edwards avoid using full names, but the children she interviewed in the '90s are now nearing 30 years old. The fascinating story has never been fully verified or disproven, but like many things, it's likely best to take it with a grain of salt.
8. Brain Injury
Attempting to pinpoint a single cause or demographic group responsible for homelessness would be a mistake. The issue is far more complex. However, there are certain groups that are disproportionately represented among the homeless, including veterans and individuals with mental health issues. A recent study in Toronto highlights another at-risk group: those who have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
The research, conducted by scientists at St. Michael’s Hospital, examined 111 homeless men ranging from 27 to 81 years old. It revealed that 45 percent had suffered at least one traumatic brain injury throughout their lives. A staggering 87 percent of these injuries occurred before they became homeless, mainly during their teenage years. It is believed that brain damage during this critical developmental period can profoundly impact a person’s behavior for the rest of their life.
Some participants experienced mild traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions from playing sports or blackouts due to substance abuse. In contrast, others endured much more severe consequences, including long-term damage resulting from car accidents or physical assaults.
7. From Homeless to Harvard
Born in 1980 to parents battling cocaine addiction, both of whom would later contract HIV, Liz Murray's early life appeared set on a tragic course. Her childhood was tumultuous, with her family frequently moving, periods of homelessness, and sporadic schooling. At just nine years old, she began earning money by bagging groceries. In 1996, her mother passed away from AIDS. Unlike many tales of homeless youth that end in despair, Liz managed to rewrite her story.
Liz graduated from high school in only two years by using a friend's address and was awarded a scholarship from the New York Times to attend Harvard University. She became the subject of a Lifetime movie, 'From Homeless to Harvard.' Liz credits much of her success to the help of strangers in her community, recalling, 'People I didn’t know showed up like angels to help me.' Liz's father passed away from AIDS in 2006. In 2010, she published her bestselling memoir, Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey From Homeless to Harvard, a powerful story of overcoming the odds.
6. Lee Halpin
In 2013, British journalist and filmmaker Lee Halpin embarked on an investigative project about homelessness. While many might approach this topic through interviews or research from a distance, Halpin chose to immerse himself completely in the experience. Much like 'gonzo journalist' Hunter S. Thompson, who often placed himself at the center of his stories, Halpin decided to live on the streets of his hometown, Newcastle. Tragically, his bold experiment would end in disaster.
Halpin began his journey on April 1, 2013. It was unusually cold for the season, and friends cautioned him to be cautious. Soon, he met a homeless man named Danny, who took Halpin under his wing, advising him to alter his well-kept appearance if he hoped to blend in with the tough crowd. That night, Lee slept at the top of a staircase. The following day, he reunited with Danny, and they spent the night in an abandoned building. The next morning, when Halpin’s cameraman arrived, Danny informed him that Lee had died overnight.
The sudden death of the 26-year-old, who appeared to be in good health, raised many questions, but the cause remained unclear. The medical examiner could not pinpoint the reason. Halpin had not overdosed (he had drunk a few beers the night before, but his blood alcohol content was minimal), and there were no signs of hypothermia despite the chilly weather. His body showed no evidence of foul play. Danny recalled Lee saying he was feeling too warm and sweating a little. Ultimately, it was concluded that Lee had died from the rare condition known as adult sudden death syndrome.
5. One-Way Tickets
While there is no single cause for homelessness, there is similarly no universal solution. Shelters provide short-term relief, but the cost of running and maintaining them is steep. In New York City, for example, it can cost upwards of $36,000 per year to house a family in a shelter. To tackle the issue, a program has been launched that allows homeless individuals to relocate with family or available resources to almost anywhere they choose. This initiative, which costs around half a million dollars annually, is managed by the Department of Homeless Services. While some have traveled as far as South Africa and France, the most common destinations are Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Similar one-way ticket initiatives have also been introduced in cities like Baton Rouge and San Francisco, and Hawaii’s program focuses on sending eligible participants back to the mainland.
Unsurprisingly, these initiatives have stirred up considerable debate among advocates for the homeless. Many believe that these one-way programs offer only a superficial fix, merely shifting the issue to other places rather than addressing its root causes.
4. Internet Cafe Kids
Japanese society had remained relatively unaffected by homelessness until the real estate asset bubble of 1986–1991, which continues to have a lingering impact on the economy today. Alongside this, the high cost of living—particularly in Tokyo, one of the world’s most expensive cities—has contributed to the growing homelessness issue in Japan.
While many individuals are living on the streets, others have discovered a clever alternative—residing in Internet cafes. These cafes offer small private rooms, each equipped with a reclining chair or mat, a television, and a computer. Common amenities include free soft drinks, as well as manga collections and paid shower services.
The rooms can be rented on a nightly basis, typically for under $20, which is far less than the cost of an apartment. As a result, thousands of people, including young adults and day laborers who earn just enough to get by, live like refugees in one of the world’s most technologically advanced nations.
3. Mole People
In 1993, Jennifer Toth published a provocative book about homeless individuals living beneath New York City. Titled *The Mole People: Life in the Tunnels Beneath New York City*, the book recounts what Toth believes to be thousands of people residing in abandoned subway tunnels under the city. She shares stories about people who never see daylight, complex underground societies, and even describes witnessing a man *killing and eating a sewer rat*.
Since the book's release, many of the facts it presented have been disputed, particularly by New York rail expert Joseph Brennan, who has pointed out numerous geographical inaccuracies. While it’s impossible to verify Toth’s encounters with the individuals she claims to have met underground, it's reasonable to conclude that the narrative is a *sensationalized account*, much like many movies that are 'based on a true story.'
It’s clear that underground communities exist in cities around the globe. One notable example is the sizable group that resides in the flood tunnels beneath Las Vegas, where they find refuge from the scorching heat.
2. Wet Houses
It's no surprise that homelessness and alcohol addiction are often closely tied. Many homeless individuals face a difficult battle with alcoholism, which complicates their ability to seek help. Most shelters enforce strict rules, such as alcohol bans and curfews, making it harder for those struggling with addiction to enter. In fact, some alcoholics would rather remain on the streets than comply with such conditions. Additionally, alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening without proper care.
In Seattle, a study was launched to address this challenge with the introduction of a ‘wet house’—a shelter that allows residents to consume alcohol. The goal wasn’t to force participants to overcome their addiction, but rather to prioritize ‘harm reduction.’
The idea was that permitting alcoholics to continue drinking would reduce the allure of the 'forbidden fruit.' The outcomes were extraordinary. Though no one fully achieved sobriety, their alcohol consumption dropped significantly. At the start of the study, participants averaged 20 drinks per day, but after two years, the number fell to just 12. While still a dangerous amount, the residents' health improved notably.
While some remain skeptical about the wisdom of allowing people to drink themselves to death, residents maintain that the wet houses help them regain a sense of dignity. Dave, a resident of St. Anthony Residence (a wet house in Minnesota), remarked, 'If I’m going to die, I don’t want it to be under a bridge. I agreed to come here because I want to hold onto the little bit of dignity that I have left.'
1. Silicon Valley
Certain communities, like Palo Alto, California, have recently passed laws that make living in cars illegal. As a result, many of Silicon Valley's homeless have been pushed out of the area and forced to find shelter in a makeshift shantytown in San Jose called 'The Jungle'—a grim, third-world-style camp teeming with drugs and violence.
