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Not exactly, but chronically homeless people would rather be homeless than stop doing the things that caused their homelessness in the first place. The ones who really did just have bad luck tend to bounce back with the assistance available to them fairly quickly, never to be seen again by me.
Source: firsthand knowledge serving the homeless and trying to get them to help themselves.
I’m gonna comment to back you up. First-hand knowledge working with chronically homeless frequent flyers coming through the ED. So many resources offered, constantly. Never sticks. Keep seeing the same faces back with the same stories, over and over.
World is rarely black and white unfortunately. Some people aren't willing to be helped
I believe it isn't really the people; it's the mental illness or addiction that keeps them from accepting help. Every chronically homeless person I've met is one, the other, or both. While I understand it's tempting to think that we should let them decide whether to accept help or not, I don't think that worldview takes into account that you're talking about people that are actually incapable of making decisions in their own best interests. I personally think it's inhumane that they are not taken into protective custody and allowed to live in dignity.
Forcing people into protective custody has dangerous implications on civil liberties.
Yes, but the alternative is not problem-free either. There are no easy answers here, but I don’t think the current situation is ideal.
People can get accustomed to their environment, even actively harmful environments. Choosing to stay where you are is an exertion of control for people who currently (and often for most of their lives) have very little control over their lives.
You can see it in everybody, just not to such a self-damaging extent. I can't blame anyone stuck in it, the same way I don't blame people who stay in abusive homes.
As someone who was homeless before, I really appreciate what you've done to help.