In my case, I had no other choice, and sleeping on buses was one of the worst things I had to endure while I was living on the streets. I spent many times sleeping on public buses when I was homeless in San Jose and throughout the Greater Bay Area. I was a regular patron of the infamous Santa Clara County VTA 22 bus, which earned the nickname “Hotel 22” among the area’s local homeless population. This bus travels from San Jose to Palo Alto in California late into the night and in the early morning hours, so many homeless people would use it to get out of the cold while sleeping on the bus at night.
Untreated mental illness, chronic health conditions, or addiction can push people into homelessness. Domestic violence or family breakdown can leave individuals without support. Inadequate social safety nets, discrimination, and lack of affordable housing exacerbate the problem. Exposure to harsh weather, unsafe environments, and constant insecurity. Limited access to clean water, nutritious food, and healthcare. Chronic illness and untreated conditions are common.
