The stereotypes most of us hold of the homeless are erroneous. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, street people sleeping over grates or under bridges, as well as alcoholics and the drug dependent account for only about 15 percent of the homeless.

For most, homelessness begins with denial. The path from a safe home to the street may take from three to five years. It often begins with "sofa-surfing" -- moving from one friend's place to another until the welcome mat wears out. Or, it may begin with sleeping on the seat of a car. Neither a friend's couch nor a car are a home. Admitting that you have a problem allows you to deal with it better and faster. As with any malady, effective cures involve early treatment. The day you get evicted you should instantly accept the idea that you are homeless. Take firm action immediately. Apply for every kind of aid available. Don't let your pride or your politics delay you from getting help.

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