Homeless man shares harsh truth about shelters.

Eric's experiences with shelters and transitional programs reveal a cycle that often sees individuals returning to the streets. If you or know someone that has been in a shelter, what is your experience?

[michellefarria]

You're absolutely right. Calling these shelters Low Barriers have higher barriers to your safety and mental health. They often take a blind eye to unsafe behaviors. Santa Cruz CA is quite scary now. The problem isn't the idea to create such places. It's the fact so much of the money to "help"has become a marketable business.

[suzilindblad]

People need to have their own space with a lock and key. I love the tiny home villages where people do community chores to keep their areas safe and clean.

[amandaadzima]

Homeless for 5 years he’s not even telling a single lie it’s the truth 😮‍💨💯

[Seeyouontuesday]

Shelters are also LOADED with bed bugs, blood on your sheets when you wake up, hundreds of itchy, painful bites on you the next morning . . .

[masseydidehbani]

As a retired social worker of forty seven years I completely agree with this man. As sad as it is homelessness is a business, There's a lot of money in doing so called referrals to the homeless, Means nothing unless there is an advocate they're batting for their rights And access to those services

[CIslas-imum]

Those that speak so negatively about homelessness won't know the struggle until they get there.

[Closereveryday]

Those that haven't been done truly dont know how difficult it is to get help. I tried before losing everything, i also had 3 children. Thankfully there was one woman that gave a roof over our heads for 5 months till i could get a car, job and apartment; all of which i paid for. 10 years later and we are in our own home that i bought 5½yrs ago. Shame will come to those that speak but do not extent a hand, even a little, to lift another.
I've heard horrible things of shelters.

[brooksequine]

Shelters are VERY DANGEROUS places . VERY DANGEROUS .

[lindseyaia-iu]

I get so mad when I hear ignorant spoiled people say homelessness is just caused by lazy people who won’t work, no one plans to be homeless and once your in that situation, until it happens to you you have no idea how demoralizing it is or how hard it is to get back out

[StephenS-]

It shows that people think other people are less deserving of life. When people are treated as less, it's easy to become it.

[marlenejones]

youre not lying. my daughter stayed in a shelter as a family with her 3 sons. she was talking to staff there one night when she was afraid to sleep because her sons shoes had been stolen. the staff and her were just discussing finances with this place and that. and she found out how much the shelter gets a week for each adult. that was 4 years ago. they received 800 dollars a week for each adult staying. and they didnt have a bed or a mattress. they had a thin little mat..like a 1/4 inch thick. slept with their shoes up next to their chests not o their feet. they told me the just felt sfe with them close up to them like that. cuz my grandson had his shoes on when they were stolen. so yeah what hes saying is so so true.

[LaoShi-wetv]

He’s absolutely correct. The shelter that I was in takes millions of dollars from the government to pay staff salaries and to pocket the extra. The staff will blacklist you if you say what you think.

[yardman]

Hope you're going to get better man. Everyone should be able to sleep in peace.

[charmainepaulson]

It is tragic the way our country is dealing with homeless people. This country HAS THE MONEY to do better.

[damienblade]

He's speaking the truth. I've learned from my homeless friend. He told me everything. Shelter steals his belongings & beat him up while he's sleeping. Not only are food & beds are available, drugs are included

[TheCatMagnet]

Been homeless on several occasions and unless it's too cold outside, I would always find me a place to camp in a tent. Its a lot closer to feeling like home and having some level of comfort than any shelter. And even if its cold out, you still have to be out during the day anyway when staying at a shelter.

[surreal-wanderer]

This is why I never complain about people sleeping on the trains. Long as a person isn't causing chaos or taking up tons of space during rush hour, good on them for finding somewhere warm

[annaburns]

It’s so true. People pretend that they are being “altruistic” by pointing you to the nearest homeless shelter. But these places are like prisons. Most people don’t know how demoralizing they really are. The fact that people would rather be on the streets than in the shelters is very telling. Yet people still deny the obvious truths.

[harmoneyreilly]

This guy when you get back on your feet mate you should work in homeless we need people like you you has that real life experience but not only that but compassion,

[April-ew]

Yes he is telling the truth, l was on the streets of phoenix Az for 4 yrs, went to different agencies but the answer was NO we can’t help you, so l talked with my doctor at my clinic and they hooked me up MERCY HOUSING, l am now in a brand new home, not a apartment, permanent housing. Never mess with the shelter’s their job is to help you not get housing because if they get everyone off the streets from being homeless, they wouldn’t have a JOB!, PERIOD!