Opinion: What homeless people want you to know 16 hrs ago David David Heitz user • @davidheit_5e285 •. The picture of a stereotypical homeless person in America has emerged as someone who uses fentanyl on street corners, defecates in an alley, shoplifts at Walmart, neglects their children, and lives a life void of meaning. These are videos that people who hope to profit off of disdain of the unhoused post on social media to enrage their followers and generate clicks. In reality, people react to these videos with such disgust because they don’t understand that most homeless people are not doing any of those things. And even if they are, there are logical explanations for how they choose to survive. And that’s all any homeless person is trying to do, survive. Most have no tools for survival, however, stacking all odds against them. As a formerly homeless person, there are a few things I think you should understand: Homeless people don’t defecate on the street to be gross or unsanitary. They do it because there is absolutely nowhere around to go to the restroom. Sure, some restaurants have loos – but only for paying customers. I know of no convenience store in Denver that offers public toilets. Homeless people don’t walk around dirty because they enjoy it. Living outdoors 24/7 means you get dirty. Walking in circles 24 hours per day does, too. You’re not allowed to sit down and rest in most places, lest you be cited for loitering. So, you walk all days until your socks are soaked with sweat and your feet break out in blisters, creating a smell so vile it turns your stomach. Photo byRoad AheadonUnsplash Homeless people want to work. Every homeless person I know who is able bodied wants a job.