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Comment by hdkmraf | Hacker News Reader

Being homeless myself I can say most homeless people I have met do it on choice. Not sure about the USA, but here in Tokyo people become homeless after realizing they are wasting their lives working for goals and objectives that benefit nobody. Eventually you realize you don't need most of the "commodities" and "comfort" of modern life. Maybe it is my engineering background speaking, but you learn to maximize output and minimize input in all aspects of life. Sure, sometimes simple pleasures as sleeping can be hard sometimes (some hot nights, some cold ones). But on the other hand there is a feeling of freedom that comes from the lack of material possessions, nothing to take care of, nothing to protect, no attachments, no home to go back, no bills to pay, no future to worry about... just freedom, and it feels great :D

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Moin,

> Being homeless myself I can say most homeless people I have met do it on choice.

I had been homeless, both by choice, and without choice. Its good to know that all you need fits into an army sidebag. Being homeless, travel around, playing revolutionary, is a necessary step in youth. imho. The next step after squatting was owning a trailer and tractor. I'm living in a flat now, close to water, and own a boat. ouch I'm getting old lol

We had several squatted houses, and an area called Weidedamm where about 300 people lived in trailers and garden huts. This changed 1995 when the green party became a member of our state government. We currently have 3 much smaller trailer parks in Bremen. One for the ecologic people, one for the punks and alcoholics, and one for trucks and electronic music. We don't have any political squatter scene anymore, no houses, so those who can not afford a trailer, are left on the street or to state help.

So most homeless people don't have a real choice between alcohol, drugs, and state help in our days. This destroys independence, and therefore the freedom you/we remember.

ciao,Michael

IMO homelessness doesn't really set you free, as you still need to provide for your body's needs (basic safety, food, protection from weather, hygiene, medicine). I can imagine it being a constant source of stress.

"Being homeless myself I can say most homeless people I have met do it on choice."

Not so much in the UK. Usually psychiatric illness or drug dependency coupled with a catastrophic loss of income. Perhaps the causes are different in different places. I understand your idea of freedom, but I'm sure you can stay free in a small room somewhere!

I hope even in the UK, the gov't would pay your housing and basic needs?

State benefits are payable, but the statutory right to be housed is for families, not single people. There are not huge numbers of homeless people in most cities, London is the worst of course as might be imagined.

I think there is more of a safety net here than in US, but there are holes in it still.

Where I am in the US, about a third of the homeless population are mentally ill refusing treatment.

That's an amazing insight. I've always loved going backpacking because of that same feeling. It's a complete disconnect from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. The times when I've been completely free like that are when I've come up with my best ideas!

Off topic. But I am about to go to Tokyo within 1-2 months. I will stay in a hotel/whatever for maybe a week and then take the train to the outskirts and from there I will hike and camp. Would you have any tips of some sort? (I have my email in the profile)

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