We see men unable to find housing after a marriage break-up, grieving the loss of their children, taking to the bottle to shut out the hurt. We see people suffering mental illnesses, confused and paranoid, left to their own devices. Some end up on the streets. Some attack others in their fear and despair, some take it out on themselves. Most are depressed and confused.
Suicide is a fact of life among the homeless.
During two weeks in June, the figure was 50. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Cambridge has nearly 200 emergency beds for homeless people, a very high number. But they are full practically all of the time. Outlined on these pages are some of the ways winter comfort is trying to help, and some of the ways you can help, now you know a little about homelessness in Cambridge .