"I worked in the public assistance sector, and this film is a very accurate depiction of how difficult it is for individuals that are trying to stay together in "The System". It can even be very difficult for families with children.
I will never forget the case of the upper middle class, cocaine addicted husband and father of 3 small children. Mom came home from work to find the house bare and no utilities. See, dad had sold everything (after neglecting to pay any of the bills for months, unbeknownst to her) and skipped out without a word. She only found out later about the cocaine habit, when she and the kids were living in the cold bare house, with an ice chest for their food, and his dealer came around looking to be paid. Then of course, they were evicted, and were living on various friends' floors or couches, while she tried to hang on to her job and keep her kids safe. By the time she swallowed her pride and wound up at my desk, she had used up every resource she could think of. Luckily for them, the late model SUV had been repossessed, because if she still had it, it's value would have made them ineligible. If she sold it for less than it's value? Ineligible.
Yes, people do "choose" to stay homeless to prevent being separated. If they have a vehicle and can get the money for enough gas to move frequently enough to avoid legal penalties, they will "choose" to live in their car.
If no vehicle, the situation can be very dire. Not everyone is a scam artist, and it really depends on what part of the country you find yourself homeless. It's all about funding, funding, funding. Social Services funding is always being cut." o.m.
"Arguing with idiots is like trying to play chess with a pigeon..."
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