mental illness
The Myth of the Homeless Person
The image that most people identify with a homeless person is the panhandler on Nicollet Mall, the vodka-guzzling man on the bus, or the mentally ill person hearing voices on the corner. These stereotypes are the visibly homeless. In reality, they are the exception rather than the norm. On any given night an estimated 8,600 people are homeless in Minnesota (Wilder Research Center, 2000). Many people don't know that these people live in shelters, abandoned buildings and under bridges. Who is homeless in the Twin Cities today? You'd probably be surprised to know.
