I heard a story by Nicholas Cage that I always found interesting and probably true. Someone was talking with him about homelessness and how not having human touch and people constantly avoiding you would slowly drive anyone crazy. After hearing that Nick made sure to give homeless people a hug or something when he gives them money. These homeless people that you see with pets ,which I never before understood because now you need to feed the dog too, probably need them for the affection that no one else will give them.
But it is true though. There is a lady at my YMCA that is homeless and she carries a cart of all her belongings to the gym. She isn't dirty or anything and stays clean but people just avoid her. I made a joke to her once when I saw her that just carrying her cart must be a workout in itself. She looked kind of surprised that someone acknowledged her and smiled back.