8.Approximately 22% of single adult homeless suffers from some form of severe and persistent mental illness (US Conference of Mayors, 2001). 9.“The relationship between addiction and homelessness is complex and controversial,” says NCH.

Rates of alcohol and drug abuse are disproportionately high among homeless but can’t account for rise in numbers. However addiction does increase risk of displacement “for precariously housed.” 10.What’s called “eroding work opportunities” contributes.

According to NCH, contributing factors to homeless are “a steep drop in number and bargaining power of unionized workers; erosion in value of minimum wage; a decline in manufacturing jobs and corresponding expansion of lower-paying service-sector employment; globalization; and increased nonstandard work, such as temporary and part-time (Mishel, Bernstein, and Schnitt, 1999)”.

Source: National Homeless Organization,HUD, National Coalition for Homeless, and Mayors' Report.

If you would like to help, go here: http://nch.ari.net/local/local.html to find local service providers.

Go here http://www.hud.gov/volunteering/index.cfm to find national and federal volunteer opportunities.

Go here: http://www.hud.gov/organizing/index.cfm to find out about becoming a community organizer.

©Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach™, http://www.susandunn.cc . Susan was formerly Director of Development for a Homeless Shelter. She resides in San Antonio, TX and writes on various topics. She offers coaching, distance learning and eBooks around emotional intelligence for career, relationships, transitions, retirement and wellness. mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE eZine.

6.Norwegian: formally "N.N.", short for "nomen nescio", Latin for "I don't know name". Informally Ola (m.) and Kari (f.) Nordmann. Ola and Kari Dunk are stupid/redneck Norwegians. -- Courtesy of John Cowan and Omar El Vikingo

7.Spanish: uses N.N. also. Informally, names Fulano, Mengano, Zutano/Sultano, Perengano, and Perencejo are used. Fulano is always first one, but when you need to name two or more, then other names come, and, generally, in that order, with Perengano being last one. Fulano's full name is Fulano de Tal, and is used when you want to state first and last name of anyone. These change to "-ana" for women. Other names are Juan Perez, Pablo Perez, Juan de los Palotes ("of big sticks", who knows why). -- Courtesy of John Cowan and Omar El Vikingo

8.Turkish: In urban usage we don't have any John Doe as far as I know (maybe Ahmet-Mehmet, a common Turkish name), but Turkish villagers use "Sarý Cizmeli Mehmet Aga" (Chief Mehmet Yellow Booted) in a more humorous way. As in: "Sarý Cizmeli Mehmet Aga will pay bill someday." -- Courtesy of Baris Purut

9.Japanese: In Japan, name Nanashi No Gombe is used as a joke when a person forgets to write their name on an application or a test, etc. Loosely translated it means No-Name Gombe and it’s an inference on stupidity of a person for forgetting their name. -- Courtesy of NYD

10.French (Canadian): In French Canada (Quebec) one name used is "Jos Bleau" (pronounced "Joe Blow"). In France one uses Jean Dupont. -- Courtesy of Allan Simon. France: Michel Dupont -- Courtesy of Alex Bedard