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Osem · 24-02-2013, 14:46

Came across a homeless guy locally the other day and have been keeping an eye on him since, especially as it's been so cold. I took him some hot food earlier and managed to find out his story which I have no reason to doubt. It goes as follows: well educated married guy with 2 children and a normal family life with the obligatory 'six of one and half a dozen of the other' marital stresses; comes home one day to find wife in bed with another guy; he kicks off and gets removed from the home; he's now homeless gets & sacked from his job because he can't get to work on time etc.; he can't get benefits because he's been sacked and has lived on the streets since. He's tried hostels for the odd night but 'they're full of drunks and druggies' who think nothing of attacking and/or robbing you and he's been the victim of this violence several times. He's managed to get a room for the odd night here and there but as LA housing/welfare priorities go he's bottom of the list is seems. Passers by tell him to "get off his arse and get a job" but he can't get a job with nowhere to live. I didn't tell him but, yesterday, I reported him to a homeless charity hoping they may be able to help him. By the sound of it, though, they may not be...

Heartbreaking really.

24-02-2013, 14:46	#1
Osem Inactive Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Right here! Posts: 22,315	Catch 22 - homelessness Came across a homeless guy locally the other day and have been keeping an eye on him since, especially as it's been so cold. I took him some hot food earlier and managed to find out his story which I have no reason to doubt. It goes as follows: well educated married guy with 2 children and a normal family life with the obligatory 'six of one and half a dozen of the other' marital stresses; comes home one day to find wife in bed with another guy; he kicks off and gets removed from the home; he's now homeless gets & sacked from his job because he can't get to work on time etc.; he can't get benefits because he's been sacked and has lived on the streets since. He's tried hostels for the odd night but 'they're full of drunks and druggies' who think nothing of attacking and/or robbing you and he's been the victim of this violence several times. He's managed to get a room for the odd night here and there but as LA housing/welfare priorities go he's bottom of the list is seems. Passers by tell him to "get off his arse and get a job" but he can't get a job with nowhere to live. I didn't tell him but, yesterday, I reported him to a homeless charity hoping they may be able to help him. By the sound of it, though, they may not be... Heartbreaking really.