My Mom was voluntarily homeless, lived in a tent camp. Her and the guy she was dating both had disability checks that they could have used for rent. But they would rather spend a few bucks buying kerosene for their portable heater. That way they had enough money left over for their drugs. That experience really tempers my attitude toward the homeless these days.

Are they just getting high?

She eventually gave it up only because she developed a health problem that required medical attention.

I don't think I was ever a factor in her lifestyle calculus.