Poverty is a criminal offense in America.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

I honestly don't understand why homeless people don't go to a shelter.

One of my best friends from high school is a homeless junkie now, and every few years he goes to rehab and reconnects with me when he's sober (now is not one of those times). He lives in a doorway and doesn't go to shelters, and here are his reasons:
1.) You can't smoke crack in a shelter or they kick you out.
2.) The shelters are dangerous. Going to sleep there can get you robbed or abused.

That's what he said when I asked him about his choice of doorway over shelter.

I hear girls don't like to go to certain shelters they're afraid of rape. But is living on the street less dangerous though? If I were to do the homeless thing I'm not sure what I'd pick.