You’re walking through South Park, just minding your business as the "New Kid," when you run into a cardboard box. Underneath it? A guy asking for change. Then another. Then five more.
If you played Obsidian’s 2014 masterpiece, you know exactly what I’m talking about. South Park: The Stick of Truth the homeless problem isn't just a random side quest or a bit of flavor text. It’s a core mechanic that perfectly captures why Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the kings of punching up, down, and sideways all at once. It’s gross. It’s annoying. And honestly? It’s one of the most clever ways a video game has ever handled social commentary.
Most RPGs give you rats to kill in a basement. South Park gives you "bums" behind the U-Stor-It.
Why the Homeless Problem in The Stick of Truth Actually Matters
Early in the game, you meet Mayor McDaniels. She’s stressed. Why? Because the town is being "overrun" by homeless people. She gives you a quest: go find them and get rid of them. It’s phrased with the typical bureaucratic coldness you’d expect from the show.
This isn't just about combat XP. It serves a functional purpose in the game's open-world design. By placing these encounters in corners of the map you might otherwise ignore—like the trucking garage or the sewers—the developers force you to explore the nooks and crannies of the town.
But there's a deeper layer here.
The game leans heavily into the 2007 episode "Night of the Living Homeless." In that episode, the homeless are portrayed like zombies from a George A. Romero flick. They don't want brains; they want "change." In The Stick of Truth, they fight with "gross-out" damage. They throw things. They use status effects. It’s mechanically distinct from fighting the Elves or the Underpants Gnomes.
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It’s not just a joke; it’s a mechanic
Think about the combat for a second. The homeless enemies are often the first time a new player encounters "Gross Out" as a consistent threat. If you don't have enough health items or if you haven't mastered the blocking timing, these guys will wreck you.
- Location 1: Behind the U-Stor-It.
- Location 2: In the sewers (where things get really weird).
- Location 3: The bus stop.
- Location 4: Behind the Soda-Sop.
You have to find all of them to complete the Mayor's quest. It’s tedious on purpose. The game is mocking the way society views the unhoused—as a "problem" to be "cleared out" so the town looks nice again. By making it a checklist for the player, Obsidian makes us the agents of this slightly uncomfortable gentrification.
The Reality Behind the Satire
South Park has always been about taking a real-world anxiety and blowing it up until it’s unrecognizable. In the mid-2000s and early 2010s, homelessness in small-town America was becoming a massive political talking point.
When the game tackles South Park: The Stick of Truth the homeless problem, it’s reflecting a very specific type of suburban fear. The fear that "they" are taking over. The game mocks this by having the Mayor treat it like a pest control issue.
Is it offensive? Sure. It’s South Park. But the "offensive" nature of the quest is the point. You feel a bit like a jerk doing it. You’re a kid playing a fantasy game, and suddenly you’re tasked with being the town’s "cleaner."
Interestingly, the sequel, The Fractured But Whole, took a different path. It focused more on the "Coon and Friends" superhero parody and gentrification (think SoDoSoPa). But The Stick of Truth remains the more direct critique of how we "deal" with people on the margins of society.
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How to Effectively Clear the Quest (If You’re Playing Right Now)
If you're actually stuck on this part of the game in 2026, don't overthink it. Most players miss the group in the sewers. You need the "Alien Snatch" tool or the "Cup-a-Smell" move to access certain areas where they hide.
- Check the "Hidden" spots. There's a guy in a tent near the church that people always miss because he’s tucked behind a tree.
- Use Gross-Out resistance. The homeless enemies deal damage over time. If you don't have the right patches on your gear, you'll burn through your snacks way too fast.
- Jimmy is your best friend here. His "Lullaby" ability can put groups to sleep, which is huge when you're being swarmed by four or five enemies at once.
The rewards? You get the Mayor as a Facebook friend. In the world of South Park, that’s the ultimate currency. It’s a shallow reward for a morally questionable task, which is exactly the punchline.
Why this quest sticks with people
I've talked to people who played this game ten years ago and still remember the "homeless quest." Why? Because it’s uncomfortable. Most games want you to feel like a hero. The Stick of Truth wants you to feel like a kid who is being manipulated by idiots.
The "homeless problem" in the game is never actually solved. You just beat them up until they leave your immediate vicinity. It’s a cynical, dark, and perfectly executed piece of world-building that makes the town of South Park feel lived-in.
Actionable Insights for RPG Fans
If you're looking at The Stick of Truth as a case study for game design or just trying to 100% the achievements, keep these things in mind:
Don't rush the Mayor's quests. The homeless encounters scale slightly with your level, but they are much easier if you have a full party and a few summons unlocked first. Go talk to Mr. Slave or Kim Adams before you head into the sewers.
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Pay attention to the background art. The cardboard boxes and trash piles aren't just assets. They are "tells." If you see a cluster of trash that looks slightly more detailed than the rest of the environment, there's a 90% chance an encounter is waiting for you.
Look for the satirical nuance. The game isn't just making fun of homeless people; it's making fun of your character for being the Mayor's lackey. If you feel a bit gross doing the quest, the developers won.
Complete the "Friends" list early. Getting the homeless quest out of the way is essential for the "More Popular than John Lennon" achievement. You need those Facebook friends to unlock the higher-tier perks that make the end-game (like the Clyde fight) actually manageable.
The beauty of South Park: The Stick of Truth is that it doesn't blink. It takes a look at a real, systemic issue like homelessness and turns it into a turn-based combat encounter involving dodgeballs and farts. It’s crude, it’s loud, and it’s arguably the most honest depiction of suburban apathy ever put into a console game.
If you haven't finished the quest, go back and do it. Just make sure you bring plenty of Antidote. You're gonna need it.