Why some people who are homeless avoid shelters

Experts discuss why some people experiencing homelessness avoid shelters even in the cold weather.

[bobleblanc]

I don't understand why the media doesn't interview the homeless themselves and get a real view on shelters instead of interviewing a paid city employee who is paid to glorify these money pits

[TobyFloof]

I was homeless for 4 years and I absolutely despised the shelters. I have a couple of mental health issues but when i was in the shelters the other people would bully me and get away with it, and even the staff bullied me sometimes as well. I couldn't say anything or do anything about it because if I did I would be banned and throw out. But there was a homeless person that was older than me who let me stay near him, he was the nicest person ever. And when someone started bullying me he would tell them to stop. There's more reasons I don't like the shelters but that was the biggest one.

[SPARTANBURGJJ]

The shelters are like a pre release prison... That's the real reason why... It's crowded, full of addicts, alcoholics, snitches, bullies ... being harassed is another problem because of snitches constantly watching you, no privacy .... I been in prison and homeless shelter and it's very similar !!!

[lynnbaker]

As a formerly homeless person, I can attest to the fact that there can be danger when the homeless are in groups.

[danielschmidt]

Every homeless person worth their salt knows shelters are dirty dangerous and just like prison

[johncase]

As someone that was living on the streets for about a year I learned to only go to shelters when it became extremely cold or extremely hot. Shelters tend to favor the severely mentally ill, drug addicts and people right out of prison.

First night at a shelter within 5 mins of getting there had a huge fight break out where they made everyone leave for 2 hours to clean up the blood. 2nd time in a shelter had a guy start accusing everyone of stealing from him and had people just urinating everywhere.

On top of that all the shelters I went to treat the people like criminals but at the same time the ones that are causing the problems and violence are never kicked out since the police tell the shelters not to do it since they don't want to deal with it.

One guy did give me advice and said if you do go to the shelter never leave your stuff alone because everyone will try and steal from you even the staff and if you complain they will just kick you out and ban you since they are just there for a paycheck and don't care about anyone that's there.

[OldskolFan]

Because they’ve made shelters long term—and it’s mentally exhausting to deal with shelter crap for years on out. It IS just like prison. Some people would rather freeze than spend time in shelters: that tells you a lot!

[MattMorrisINTP]

I will not stay at a shelter anymore. A few years ago I got my backpack taken from under my head while I was sleeping. It's the people who ruin it. Both the staff and the homeless.

[reinasvibez]

I've been treated better in jail than the shelters.

[TheOther]

Wish there was a system that shelters use to keep the other problematic people seperated. Like who had the brilliant idea of keeping all the potentially abusive and disruptive people, all in the same room as the harmless and vulnerable people as they slept.

[educationcentral_]

Much higher rates of not wanting to get treated like shit and robbed

[michaelobrien]

We want a place to sleep, not a place to be kept up all night by the staff and druggies.

[keeleehudson]

Shelters are full of abusive staff. You’re already homeless you don’t want people in positions of power preying on you.

[larryfowler]

They should stop building homeless shelters becouse they are a waste of money becouse you cant live in homeless shelters people aviod homeless shelters becouse they dont want to be around crowds of people not becouse of mental illness in some cases they need to concentrate on building affordable houseing and if some homeless cannot afford houseing then there needs to special funds put aside to help with affordable houseing, lady fowler

[jessicajohnston]

I think we need to look at the homeless situation in every country and make a plan while taking everything into consideration. This problem isn't going to fix itself, and we depend on our communities for survival. If we don't work together, society will fall apart. This topic deserves more attention.

[ufohunter]

I was homeless and I chose not to sleep in the shelter. No peace around some of the people. Single room homeless shelters. Where you are able to work and get reestablished is what we need.

[cwjohnson]

I was homeless but it really depends on the type of shelter for me there are four types of shelters 1. Clean safe and great staffing 2. Prison like atmosphere and non caring staff
3. Progressive program to help with jobs life planing and housing afterwards
4.a place to just sleep until the next not bad not good just indifferent a tax write off
What they have here falls under 3. Progressive Shelters always the best in my book

[annmatrazzo]

Some people stay outside because of the horrible treatment they get in tbe shelter from the uneducated and judgemental staff that instead of trying to spread dignified care instead feel powerful and superior to the client and exercise demoralizing and arrogant abuse by their behavior.

[terrybardy]

I was in a wet shelter and got out of there fast. I would rather walk a highway.

[yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.]

Hi all as a 56 year old Australian man i was homeless for 5 years,
I only spent 4 days at a shelter i personally would rather live under a small bridge it is a whole lot Safer ,  
I now own an RV (It was left to me from a family member that passed away i am very lucky :>}
Rob
NSW
Australia