In my memory, the homeless and beggars appeared in 1989, nicely synchronised with the introduction of capitalism. (Not that the 'communists' were that much really social, but they felt the propagandistic need to not have visible poverty in the so-called Real Existing Socialism.) The situation didn't improve since, it's more like it became everyday and routine. The city 'adapted' to it, for example, the underpasses for the metro entrances are open for the homeless as sleeping-places during subzero outside temperatures. *Traitor*, n. A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
