Seeing as I have never been on the streets myself writing this opinion will be very difficult even though so many people have so many different views on it.

I myself have mixed views. If the person is actually homeless and isn't a drug or alcohol abuser, I have the deepest sympathy for them. I mean having nothing to eat and no where to sleep is only the start of it and that is bad enough. They are prone to attacks from other homeless people for any of the small possessions they may be lucky enough to own. They are also susceptible to attacks from people. They are criticised for "faking it" or spending any money they do get on drugs or alcohol rather than food or shelter. What a life that must be.

I have been hearing recently to cut this down instead of donating money we should give the homeless food or a blanket etc. I think by doing this you are basically saying you think they cannot be trusted with money. This is de-humanising them even more and will only make matters worse.

Hopefully in the future more schemes will start up and try to cut down on the situation. However, it is due to the fake or abusive homeless people that the real ones are suffering so much. I'm sure we have all witnessed someone pretending to be homeless and walking home to their nice warm flat with a pocket of change. Because of this we form a particularly bad idea of homeless people in general in our heads and we make the real ones suffer.

Hopefully soon, the prejudice will be cut down and the problem of homelessness will be cut drastically. My advice if you want to give money is to have a chat to them before hand. This will bring you to your senses when you hear what they have to put with; also the homeless person will have some slight happiness even if it is only for a few moments. It will also probably show you the real from the fake. Fake ones won't be interested in talking, the real ones will almost invite you into their lives f
or a conversation.