Street Survival Strategies

"Street Survival Strategies: Tactics Employed by The Unsheltered Homeless Population"

Definition: Street Survival Strategies refer to the various methods and tactics that individuals who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness employ to manage and cope with life on the streets. These tactics can include a wide variety of activities such as panhandling, scavenging for food and materials, establishing makeshift shelters, and forming networks with other homeless individuals amongst others.

Description: Those who live without a roof over their heads often face numerous and severe challenges. They have to shield themselves from harsh weather conditions, fend off potential harm, acquire food and water, and find places to sleep. To weather these adversities, they resort to a set of survival mechanisms collectively known as street survival strategies. These strategies are a testament to human resilience and adaptability, but also highlight the severity of the problem of homelessness.

Objectives:
- Ensure basic survival by securing food, water, and shelter
- Create a system of mutual support and safety among the homeless community
- Manage to stay safe from threats and risks in streets
- Garner some sort of income to meet personal needs through panhandling or other means

Mechanisms:
- Panhandling or begging to obtain money for food or other necessities
- Scavenging in dumpsters, trash bins, and abandoned areas to find food, clothing, and materials
- Establishing makeshift shelters in public places, or in secluded areas
- Forming networks or communities with other homeless individuals, as a support system and for protection against threats

Benefits:
- Basic survival needs are met to some degree
- The possibility of protection and support is afforded by community networks
- Maintains some level of personal dignity and autonomy, given the circumstances
- Provides an opportunity to gather resources

Challenges:
- Constant risk of danger and harassment from the public or law enforcement
- Struggle to secure basic needs such as adequate food, shelter and clothing
- Difficulty in maintaining personal hygiene and overall health due to lack of facilities
- Public perception and stigma associated with homelessness, manifesting in discrimination

Examples:
1. In cities like New York and San Francisco, some homeless individuals resort to sleeping in subway or train stations, ostensibly for shelter and safety.
2. There are instances of homeless people collecting recyclable materials to exchange for cash.
3. Food dumpster diving is another example of a survival strategy, often witnessed in urban settings.
4. Formation of homeless encampments or “Tent cities” as seen in areas like Los Angeles

Further Reading:
1. "Coping on the streets: Exploring the strategies used by homeless young people." - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11027947/
2. "The Survival Strategies of Homeless Youth: Understanding how young people who are homeless obtain their resources" - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4805648/