Poverty is a criminal offense in America.

[houseofcantor]

I walk through Harvard square once a week. There are so many bums there for some reason.

Because it's Harvard Square, silly.

A lot of them are young. I'm wondering if many of them (particularly the young ones) are faking being homeless for money.

I don't know about those in that particular area, but I've seen it happen. Heck, I'd go on a bender, stumble out of my apartment and end up sitting on curb somewhere, and have people insist I take their money. People are weird.