Question for Americans: Why do you have so many homeless people on the streets?

My apologies if this is a slant towards politics. I am just trying to understand, without being judgmental. I am from Ireland and have recently spent time in Boston and New York city. I have been very shocked at the volume of people I see sleeping on the streets. It is absolutely awful to see. <br><br>I have travelled to many countries and I don’t think I have ever seen anything like this. I have spoken to colleagues and friends who have travelled to North America and they have echoed my sentiments. <br><br>It makes no sense to me. The US is a very wealthy country. I understand that every country has homeless people, but from my observations, the US seems to be on another level. <br><br>I am not saying that my country is perfect. Ireland has its own considerable issues with homelessness as well, but it seems to me that we are trying to do something about it. <br><br><br>What I do see in my country is a complete change in the profile of the homeless. In recent years we have gone from having older, Irish, men who are homeless, to young single mothers in their early 20s, with their children, who are homeless. I absolutely hate to see it. <br><br>But what I do see is that there are supports in place to help them get back on their feet and hopefully to their own home. We have the housing first policy. We have hostels with full services that cater for people and try to get them back on their feet. They’re given a key worker, they’re helped to get employment, education, they’re helped with all types of issues they may have. <br><br>I have seen this work first hand. I have friends who were homeless and are now in their own house or apartment. I have worked with homeless people who after time, were able to get on their feet and go into their own place. <br><br>I know that Ireland is a considerably smaller country than the US and I appreciate that it is easier for us to operate in that way. I absolutely appreciate that there must be a multitude of factors and reasons why people are homeless in the US. I am not trying to be judgmental; I am just trying to understand. I absolutely abhor the fact that people have to sleep out on the streets. <br><br>I would love to hear opinions from Americans. I would love to hear from people who have been in this situation. What do you believe is the solution?