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Homeless is a way of life in NYC. Walking to the subway to work, in the winter we'd step around those sleeping on the grates. and actually after a while most of the "neighbors" would help them out if they were regular.
For every story that is written about some homeless person dying and have millions in the bank.. or one that makes "big" money panhandling.. there are 1000's that truly do not have a pot to piss in.
I adopted a couple and used to take them to H&H bagels for coffee and bagel in the morning.. we'd take them last years coats etc. They told me they were safer on the street than in a shelter and they could be together.
When i first moved to Vegas in 1992, we asked our guide to show us the 'worst' areas.. they were pristine compared to where we'd come from and i said..and where do the homeless gather.. he said..oh we don't really have homeless here.. only a few.
Now that i'm back here after being gone for 7 years.. Homeless are everywhere.. and there are very few shelters here. Vagrency laws are very tight here because of the tourism.. so most end up in jail.
with rents at 800-900 minimum and minimum wage still at 5.15/hr i'm sure there will be even more here next year.
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