I think the two points are linked. But it doesn't actually have anything to do with our geographic position or weather.
Yes, it has part to do with our geographic location and weather. Many die during the winters up north. Cold weather, period, is brutal when your homeless, but none will usually die from weather down here depending on how west they are towards the everglades. I have, however, heard stories of homeless camps being destroyed and a few dying because of the 3 hurricanes in 2007.
Other than mosquitoes, as a result of our geo- location/weather, to which most homeless people group up and make camp sites/fires to counter them any way, weather is NEVER an issue. If anything, the heat and alcohol prob makes a handful passout.
As far as our geographic location plays along, here in south Florida we are literally on an aquifer. There are lakes, canals, and bodies of water EVERYWHERE for irrigation purposes due to flooding and draining the everglades/lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic. You will never go thirsty, nor hungry down here. Thirst is not even an issue, its water for them vs constantly buying it to put out fires, throw away trash, use the bathroom in, bathe, etc. The beach has dozens of benefits that Ill list below. Beaches that are busy all year round.. too. The everyglades keeps everything east bound, its like mini new york from north palm beach all the way to south miami, atleast a hundred + miles. You can travel anywhere between then and the geography is exactly the same until you hit south miami, hobe sound.
Plenty of homeless people I've known down here aren't even from Florida. A few I've come across aren't even from the US, But got stuck down here because they are broke and lost their pastport.
Many, specificially in Broward and Miami, are often alcoholic veterans due to the neglect of the government. Others Ive known are litterally from psychiatric wards and care centers. Some came down from the NE for rehab and just gave up. With no money, and a drug/alcohol addiction, they just became homeless. Many, depending on their personalities and survival tactics, either move west towards the rural areas, like west boynton beach where the farms are at, or West Miami, usually never west of West Palm Beach, minus belle glade. The beach plays a HUGE role for them, its free bath water, free breeze and free from mosquitoes. Not only that, but they can scavenge the beach for lose articles and money. Many of the local stores feed them around the beach too. Many of the pan handler types live central, between 96 and the turnpike from north palm beach, all the way down to Miami. The groupie types live in the west where theres more land and open areas to make camps.
Our location is key to the survival of homeless people. Theres hundreds of soup kitchens down here. 3 faith farm locations I think. Hundreds of half way houses, dozens upon dozens of rehab centers.
Our location/geo/weather is a huge factor. Where in florida do you live? Central?
Even in the scenario where they get into a halfway house/faith farm/ etc/ there are TONS of construction/roadway/landscaping/lawn services/ and other commercial businesses that will hire them in comparison to other parts of the US. Idk what part of your florida your in, but if your familiar with our tricounty area here in the south, you'd know what I was talking about.
