Three True Stories
Renee Delisle was one of over 3500 homeless people in Santa Cruz when she found out she was pregnant. The Santa Cruz Sentinel
reported she was turned away from a shelter because they did not have
space for her. While other homeless people slept in cars or under
culverts, Renee ended up living in an abandoned elevator shaft until her
water broke.
Jerome Murdough, 56, a homeless former Marine, was
arrested for trespass in New York because he was found sleeping in a
public housing stairwell on a cold night. The New York Times reported that one week later, Jerome died of hypothermia in a jail cell heated to over 100 degrees.
Paula Corb and her two daughters lost their home
and have lived in their minivan for four years. They did laundry in a
church annex, went to the bathroom at gas stations, and did their
studies under street lamps, according to America Tonight.
Ten Facts about the homeless
Over half a million people are homeless
One quarter of homeless people are children
Tens of thousands of veterans are homeless
Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness in women
Many people are homeless because they cannot afford rent
There are fewer places for poor people to rent than before
In the last few years millions have lost their homes
The Government does not help as much as you think
One in five homeless people suffer from untreated severe mental illness
Cities are increasingly making homelessness a crime
For more information on these facts and related issues see here
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