A homeless woman describes why the streets can be addictive—the freedom, the community, and even the lawlessness. She estimates that about 40% of the homeless population chooses this lifestyle. That reality runs headlong into the popular narrative that “housing ends homelessness.” Housing ends homelessness for people who want off the streets—nothing more, nothing less.#Homeless | Truth on the streets

A homeless woman told me most people on the streets feel useless—and if they didn’t, they’d be far more likely to accept help. She didn’t blame social services, but pointed out that most programs focus on external fixes like housing while overlooking the internal damage homelessness causes. When someone feels worthless, undeserving, or broken, even help can feel out of reach. Until people regain a sense of purpose and self-worth, support systems will continue to miss many of the people they’re d