Homelessness & Hoarding

Homeless people hoard for a combination of reasons, including the practical need to salvage useful or sellable items like cans or food, and for psychological reasons like coping with trauma, a sense of security, and a fear of future scarcity. Hoarding can stem from experiences of instability, loss, or hardship, where items represent a coping mechanism or a perceived safety net. 

Practical reasons

Salvaging for use: Items that may seem like trash to others can be useful for survival, such as food, clothing, or materials for shelter.

Earning money: Collecting items like bottles, cans, and scrap metal for recycling is a common way to earn money.

Food scarcity: A continuous search for food is necessary, leading to the collection of any edible food found. 

Psychological reasons

Coping with trauma and instability: Hoarding can be a way to cope with a history of hardship, trauma, or loss. The items can provide a sense of security, control, and stability in an otherwise uncertain life.

Fear of deprivation: Past experiences of poverty or homelessness can create a deep-seated fear of being without necessities, leading to a compulsion to hold onto anything that might be needed in the future.

Attachment and comfort: For some, objects can become a source of emotional attachment, similar to human relationships. Discarding these items can feel like losing a friend.

Emotional regulation: Accumulating items can be a way to soothe or regulate one's emotions, such as finding comfort in acquiring items like knitting wool.