Homeless people are also drawn to Harvard Square because of the high volume of pedestrian traffic, Sudholz says. "If only three percent of pedestrian traffic gives money to the homeless, the higher pedestrians you have, the higher chance you're going to get money," she says.

'Phantasmagorical Review'

National statistics say that many homeless got that way because of substance abuse, mental illness, or both.

Homeless people in the Square, however, maintain that they are victims of bad luck. Asked how he got to be homeless, Juan says chillingly, "Evil happenings, phantasmagorical, evil, evil."

Hailey says he has been homeless since he lost his job with Digital Equipment three years ago.

"I went through a divorce and then Digital transferred to the West Coast," he says. "I don't want to move to the West Coast--San Francisco's too expensive. I can go back if I want to."

Several homeless people said they blame their current condition on work-related injures. Springman, for example, says he sold furniture in the Midwest until he broke his back.

"I broke my back in two places and broke my ankle and was unable to work," Springman says. "Social Security denied me [coverage], saying I wasn't disabled, so I'm fighting them now. Until I get that straightened out. I don't have the money to live anywhere."

Hayman says he became homeless after his wallet was stolen on a return trip from Washington, D.C. "I got robbed on the train," he says. "Someone took my wallet."

'A Regular Guy'

Despite their misfortune, the Square homeless say they are not without ambition.

"I want to get my life back on track, try to get a nice place to sleep and live," Sal says. "I just want to be a regular guy."

Hayman says what he wants more than anything is to make a connection with pedestrians. He tries to feel an unconditional love for even those who pass him by, he says.

"As long as we live in a materialistic era, people are always going to be mean," he says. "You just got to go over that. People are going to be mean but I'm going to be nice anyways."

Many people interviewed say homelessness has taught them a lot about life. Sal says his experience as a homeless person taught him humility.