I was reading an article the other day called “10 Reasons Homeless People Sleep Out in the Cold and Die“.

I knew some of the reasons, but had no idea that in larger cities, those who hold jobs can’t always make it to the shelter in time after work before available beds are already taken. Lack of available beds seems to be the ‘norm’ in many cities these days.

You can’t miss them when you walk around a city: shapeless masses pressed up against buildings or into corners. Homeless people sleeping outside, even now when the temperature is cold and dropping. The lucky ones preserve their body heat under a pile of blankets; others make do with cardboard boxes or layers of clothes.

Some die. About 700 a year in the United States. The solution seems obvious: their lives would be saved if they slept in the warmth of a homeless shelter. But there aren’t enough shelter beds to go around, and some of the beds that do exist come with very unappealing strings attached…

Please take the time to read the entire article by clicking on the link above. I’m sure you will be as surprised as I was at some of the answers.