You’re wandering through the snow-packed streets of South Park, your character is wearing a ridiculous wizard hat, and suddenly you remember you need to find a bunch of people living in cardboard boxes. It’s a weirdly specific task. If you’re trying to 100% the game, you've gotta deal with the South Park The Stick of Truth homeless problem. Specifically, the "Homeless Problem" side quest given to you by Mayor McDaniels.
She wants them gone. You want the rewards and that sweet, sweet completion trophy.
The thing about this quest is that it isn’t just about walking up to people. It’s about finding the tucked-away corners of the map that Obsidian Entertainment hidden in plain sight. Some are easy. Others require you to traverse the sewers, which, let's be honest, is the least favorite part of any RPG for most players. But in South Park, the sewers are basically a second city.
Why the Mayor Wants You Hunting the Homeless
Mayor McDaniels is stressed. She thinks the homeless population is ruining the town's vibe, so she recruits a literal child—you, the New Kid—to "go talk to them." By talk, she means beat them up until they leave. It’s classic South Park satire. Dark, uncomfortable, and mechanically necessary if you want that "Outrageous" grade on your quest log.
There are seven groups in total. Most players find the first four and then get stuck wandering around the U-Stor-It or the woods for hours.
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Don't do that. It's a waste of time.
The Easy Targets Around Town
The first few locations for the South Park The Stick of Truth homeless quest are pretty straightforward. You’ll find one group behind the U-Stor-It facility. Just head to the far right of the map. You’ll see a truck; head inside or around it, and you'll trigger the fight. These guys aren't particularly tough, but if you're playing on Hardcore mode, their "Gross Out" attacks can actually be a bit of a nuisance if you haven't stocked up on bottled water.
Next, check the bus. There’s a yellow bus parked near the Crab Tree (the path leading to the church). It looks like background art. It isn't. You can actually enter the bus. Inside, you’ll find another group. It’s cramped, the music is depressing, and the fight is quick.
Then there's the bench near the Stark’s Pond entrance. Usually, there’s a guy just chilling there. Again, a quick scuffle and they’re cleared out. Honestly, at this point in the game, your buddies like Butters or Kenny should be able to AOE these encounters down in one or two turns.
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Entering the Sewers: The Real Challenge
This is where the quest gets annoying. To find the remaining South Park The Stick of Truth homeless camps, you have to go underground.
The South Park sewer system is a maze of pipes, shit-water, and those weirdly aggressive ginger kids if you're at that point in the story. You access it through the manhole cover in the street near the center of town.
- Once you’re down there, look for the yellow ladders.
- You’ll need to find the camp located behind the "trash" wall.
- There is another group tucked away near the entrance to the Underpants Gnomes' territory or the path leading toward the Christmas Critters (if you've unlocked that nightmare fuel).
The sewer fights are slightly harder because the environment is tighter. You'll often find yourself fighting two or three enemies at once. Use your abilities that cause Bleed or Burning. Homeless enemies in this game don't have high armor, but they have decent HP pools compared to the random elves or humans you fight on the street.
The Hidden One in the Woods
This is the one that misses everyone. If you head to the Lost Forest (the woods where you can get lost and end up in Canada), there is a specific path. If you keep heading "Right" and "Up" from the entrance, you might stumble upon a campsite. It's not technically in the "infinite loop" part of the woods where you get teleported back to the start, but it’s close enough to be frustrating.
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Look for the clearing with the tattered tent. If you see the dog or the random squirrels, you’re in the right neighborhood.
Combat Tips for the Homeless Encounters
Look, these aren't boss fights. You aren't fighting Al Gore or a Giant Nazi Zombie Ginger. But if you're under-leveled, they can swarm you.
- Gross Out is your enemy. They throw things. Grossing out makes you lose HP every turn and prevents healing. Use a "Cure" potion or have Butters heal you immediately.
- Speed is king. If you can get your speed stat up, you can often take two turns before they even move.
- The New Kid’s Magic. Use your "Dragonshout" if you have it. It stuns and grosses them out back. Taste of their own medicine.
Actionable Next Steps for Completionists
If you’ve cleared all seven spots, you aren’t done. You have to physically go back to the City Hall and talk to Mayor McDaniels.
She won't give you a key to the city, but she will become your friend on Facebook (the in-game social media). This is crucial because your power level in The Stick of Truth is directly tied to how many "friends" you have. More friends equals more perk points.
Here is exactly what you should do right now:
- Check your map: Ensure you’ve opened the U-Stor-It area. If the gate is locked, progress the main story until you help the Goth kids or the Elves.
- Equip a "Gross Out" immunity patch: If you have one for your armor, put it on. It trivializes the sewer fights.
- Count your kills: Open your quest log. If it says 6/7, you definitely missed the one inside the bus or the one hidden behind the crates in the sewers near the generator.
- Finish the quest before the end of Day 3: While you can do most side quests whenever, the town changes significantly in the final act. It’s better to get the Mayor’s friendship bonus early so you can spend those Perk points on things like "bravery" or "increased damage to debuffed enemies."
Once the Mayor is your friend, you're one step closer to the "More Popular than John Lennon" achievement. Just don't think too hard about the ethics of what you just did. It’s South Park.