There are a lot of people who basically pretend to be down and out in Berkeley who probably are middle class kids. One was holding a sign that read "take me home," another, "will take exams." Some of these guys have dogs. I feel bad for those dogs. They probably would do better unencumbered by their ineffectual owners.

Anyway, Orwell used to pretend to be poor to see how he was treated by society. In Down and Out in Paris and London (reviewed by John Baggaley here), Orwell discussed his jobs, traveling around, his companions, etc. It's an excellent read. And, the San Francisco Chronicle now has a series of articles about the homeless problem in that city.