patrick.net

May be banks started foreclosing :)

Probably Obama's people. They just want change. That's all.

ptiemann says

Homeowners don’t have that problem. They get a loan-mod

if they can't get loan mod they can squat while bank is working on other short sales and foreclosures already on their list.

Those new generation(?) homelesses... are you talking about them?

Homelesses used to look kinda dirty, poor, smelly, etc made you feel like you're gonna help them though, some of these new guys on the road look like just fresh out of BMW or something, except that homeless sign at the neck. Naturally I ain't give them a dime, when they wear north face jacket and clean sneakers.

Another thing I noticed is shopping carts on the alley. Those people look like traditional (?) homeless, having their stuffs in the cart, sleeping on the alley.

Don't know what has to do with them, but they appeared after 2009.

shrekgrinch says

Most of these are fraudsters. TV investigative reporters have done hit pieces on these folks for two decades now. They secretly tape them at their street corner, then follow them home and confront them. You can find these on Youtube, etc.
My fav was a lady I saw begging at the Walmart shopping center with a baby. I made it very clear that she could go to hell. My wife — who is from a Third World country where they have REAL poor people — was shocked by my reaction. I had to show her the aforementioned youtube cuts to get myself out of that one.

There is a teenager that asks for money to take the BART (subway) home to South San Francisco from near my place in San Francisco. It looked legitimate. So I just asked him how much the fare was and gave him the full fare to get him home. But now I noticed he appears very often with the same excuse, and apparently, forgot that a generous me gave him the full fare. So I said, okay, get in the car... I'll drive you back home to South SF. He declined. But I'm sure many can argue for him and say he didn't want to hop in the car with a stranger.

It really doesn't take too many "extra" people asking for money to make it appear like an epidemic. Also many come up with a story that sounds plausible and then just keep repeating it over and over. I remember this one poor lady where I used to work had a relative dying every day, I think it was the same one, requiring bus money to get back home, for months on end. Another was asking for help jump starting their car, then when you say ok and start walking over to help them, they hit you up for money instead saying actually that is what they needed. Since you're already engaged and were going to help, now you're much more likely to assist.

It's good money, it's tax free and a way of living without going to work. Maybe the first week is degrading, but then it's all the same, just a job. But you're your own boss! Make your own hours! Set your own goals....

It's best to give to organizations that will ensure it goes to helping people get off the streets, not people who are more happy working the streets as a beggar.