I have spinal stenosis so labor is no longer an option. Right now I'm housed through a VA grant (started in January) but that ends next month. I prefer to be housed but without sufficient income it's not really an option.

Once you're homeless, there's really no "opportunities" to get you out of it. Need to take a shower? That alone takes about 3-4 hours including bus (and fare, which you have to panhandle to get). Hungry? You'll need to panhandle for 2-3 hours to fix that. Surviving is pretty much a 60-hour per week job in itself. Add to that other homeless trying to steal your stuff while your away, or the police doing the same thing via "sweeps", and you're pretty much ruled out of taking any kind of employment, even without stenosis.

Shelters are absolutely horrible. Disease, violence and theft. Plus you can't sleep with the snoring and having someone's stinky feet inches away from your face.

Nobody "works to stay homeless". Would you leave everything you have to go sleep on the street? Neither would anyone else.

As for my situation, I have applied for SSI and a lawyer is representing me. If it ever goes through (it can take years) I'll likely use the back pay to buy a van. SSI only pays $900 per month, so it'll be van life for me.