I am skeptical about stories on the homeless and the economy.  The Washington Post had such a story today: “A Growing Desperation, Housing, Economic Slumps May Portend Rise in Ranks of Region’s Homeless, Survey Shows.” As far as I can glean from the story, the “survey” consists of asking people on the streets and in shelters why they are there. Not surprisingly, they tend to blame the economy. “I made terrible decisions,” or, “I have a substance abuse problem,” seem not to have been popular answers. Do you really believe that a significant number of these unfortunates are homeless because of the sub prime lending crisis or because of a lack of affordable housing?