When They Choose Homelessness; Yes, Some Do Choose to Live Outdoors

There is often a debate on whether or not a person chooses homelessness. Hopefully, this article will give you perspective. I volunteer as an outreach worker twice a week serving the unsheltered homeless citizens. The answer to that debate is an easy, “Yes, some do choose to live outdoors.” I see it every single week. Addicts and people with untreated mental illness roam around the streets and when offered help, they want nothing to do with it. They want nothing to do with the very system that can help them. I might add that the system may have failed them in the first place.

I previously was a case manager for a man I will call Dan. He had an undiagnosed mental illness coupled with addiction. I did everything and then some to help this man. I set him up to be evaluated so he could receive SSI (disability benefits) based on his disability with his mental illness. He was clearly suffering from schizophrenia.

When it was time for his appointment to get an evaluation, he completely self-sabotaged the entire appointment and so was denied benefits. When I asked him why he did such a thing, he simply said, “I never asked for your help. I like living outside where I can be away from people.” I had never been told that before! But he was right. My idea for his life and becoming housed was not in line with his idea.

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Dan would educate me as to why someone would choose to live outdoors. With his schizophrenia, going to a shelter or being around others was never going to happen. He told me he likes not having responsibilities that the rest of society has, such as paying bills. He made it very clear to me that he appreciated my help but he no longer wanted my help.

Dan would continue living on the streets until one day when he decided he wanted to be in jail. So, he threw a cocktail of chemicals into the Benton County Courthouse and thankfully, nobody was hurt. This earned him prison time.

It is sad to say, but prison is a safer place for Dan than the streets were for him. He’s been to prison before and did well while incarcerated. He is someone who chose homelessness and yes, he had the capacity to make that kind of decision. So, to end the debate on the issue….. yes, a small number of people do actually choose to live outside as a way of life.

Barbara is formerly homeless and has worked with the homeless in a shelter setting, along with performing outreach services. She believes in the recovery model when addressing homelessness versus harm reduction and housing first models. She has served on several Boards and committees, all which revolve around poverty and homelessness. Her advocacy work dates back to 2003.