Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps

[@InvisiblePeople]

Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories

[@olecamohatmcgilicudy4256]

The police in pacific county (bottom left of state) flat out said its "no crime" for lying landlords to lie and trick tenants, to harrass, threaten , assault person and home, to harm, steal property and belongings from paying tenants/customers. Forcing people into homelessness or death. Even disabled and elderly are not safe.

[@deidradahl2802]

I want to tell you about a small island called Jamaica. The year 1976, the government started the National Housing Trust Scheme, with less than 1 millions contributors. Every working person paid 2% into the Scheme matched by 3% from the government. Thousands of Low Income homes have been built for the poor, and is still ongoing to this day. If a contributor is not eligible for a home, being they already have one then they can apply for home improvement loans. You have build on your own land, or get help with starter homes. From 2006, refunds with interest have been given to people who have not benefitted, as they already have a house. The call just went for this years refunds.. No homelessness in Jamaica. Jamaica is now under 4 million, can you imagine what the USA could do for it's people, with over 200 million contributors?

[@olecamohatmcgilicudy4256]

@@deidradahl2802 Ya the richest country in the world and we dont even take care of our own. .. Like the police ion the west coast who let landlords harm customers. CREATING more and more homeless.

[@deidradahl2802]

@@olecamohatmcgilicudy4256-- I wish we could come together and demand that they copy Jamaica, and provide Low Income Houses for the poor. But the government would be too proud to copy, a tiny island like Jamaica. All we have to do in our thousands is, squat on a large parcel of land and refuse to be moved. If the rich and other Landlords own all the land, where will the poor live

[@goodguygto]

Keep Voting Democrat y"all!!👍👌

[@BLVCKSEA]

I spent 17 months in king county jail and when I got out I had no place to go and ended up on the streets. I had to get a tent and stayed in it for a couple of months up until one day someone stole my tent. I then had to go to a shelter and then I got housing through REACH. Big shout out to the folks at REACH for finding me my studio.

[@kimberiysmarketstrategy]

❤ blessings to you!

[@jenmdawg]

I’m always glad to read about or meet someone who also got out of being homeless. It’s so important to know it is possible. Addiction is a huge barrier but sobriety is also possible. I worry though because the drugs today are so much more toxic and addictive- even a casual user is in 100x more danger now.

[@Thequietestquiet2875]

glad you were able to get back on your feet. Best of luck

[@Zakariah1971]

Camillus House in Miami!

[@jamesstone9213]

Where do you work?

[@steady747]

I grew up very poor, never homeless but lived in trailer parks. We rented trailers in bad neighborhoods and shitty trailer parks. My parents kept what little bit we had in good condition and clean. So many trailers around us were a mess and there was lots of drug use. No shame in being poor but there is shame is being dirty.

[@luvsilly60]

Keyword- parents. Some many issues because so little parenting.

[@craigkuzniasz279]

It's. Not were you live its how you live stay blessed

[@supme7558]

No ..nore is there shame in drug taking your brain washed by new wave conservatives..

[@supme7558]

​@@luvsilly60 nah its called free will

[@crystalmasters8582]

Shame is maybe not the right word either. That’s a product of a broken heart most times.

[@carsilk2492]

When I'm living in my car I'm never parking around other people who are also living in their cars. I'm parking in your quiet neighborhood, and you'll never even know it, because I don't cause problems. "When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all."

[@MrSGL21]

There it is. When people think of the homeless they think of crazy druggie dirty criminals. Not clean quiet discreet non criminals.

[@maskcollector6949]

These days I don’t think you can call all these vanlife and buslife people homeless. Especially compared to a NYC apartment

[@Itried20takennames]

I am sure you don’t have problems because you are considerate and cause no problems, but some do know you are there. There are some nice, private, shade-covered parking spots in my neighborhood, usually taken by a few cars or vans with open roof fans, or with the windows covered, who stay there at night and leave in the morning. Pretty sure these are taken by those living put of their vehicles, and I so wish there were more places people could park longterm and overnight in vehicles and have security, access to bathroom and a kitchen, etc,. Would not be that hard for every church to fence off and make a shade over a few parking spots, and allow people to stay there as they need.

[@carsilk2492]

@@Itried20takennames You're a kind person👌I have little sympathy, when having been in that situation it was motivation enough to get myself out. I wanted nothing from anyone, and I expected better from myself. But I'm aware that some people are physically incapable of that.

[@MrBobbo18]

You thinking people don’t recognize a new car in a neighborhood is incorrect. I’m not saying it’s a problem unless you leave trash.

[@Citybird-cw4pg]

As someone that was homeless in Seattle living out of a tent under I-5 and then a car for 6 years total 10 years ago I looked forward to the visits by outreach! After pulling myself out of that situation 10 years ago and getting sober this definitely humbles me a bit now that I have a good paying job, a brand new car and a safe place to lay my head down at night without fear of loosing it. I hope things get better for each and everyone of those souls. I was a lucky one to be able to get out of that cycle. ❤ keep up the good fight guys!

[@jodie1survives136]

Beautiful to hear. Well done on your sobriety. All deserve to thrive

[@patriciaoreilly8907]

Well done you .❤

[@mjwbulich]

Did you use social services like rehab or temporary housing to get sober and off the streets? What do you think of addicts that don't want help and choose the lifestyle? Not being a dick. Genuinely curious.

[@Citybird-cw4pg]

@Patricia O'reilly I tried the ARC salvation army and was there for 2 months but that place wasn't for me and then I got an opportunity to go to Phoenix AZ. I used a little down there and then got into rehab. Honestly if it weren't for me getting out of that area I would still be using or dead. I think they need to impose stiff jail sentences to the dealers and get rid of the needle exchanges. It's become to easy to get the drugs and use them and if you get caught with them it's barely a slap on the wrist. :\ it's definitely a sad state out there

[@Citybird-cw4pg]

@@mjwbulich whoops meant to tag you in the above post lol

[@davidrobertson5700]

Thank you for helping human beings, this guy is a true kind hearted human being

[@mvincent5621]

As a nomadic day laborer, seeing these videos helps to remind me how fortunate I am compared to many other vehicle dwellers. I truly appreciate the work y'all do to help those less fortunate than myself👍👍

[@queenbee4350]

With van life increasing and people living in their vehicles because of homelessness, more cities really should consider having designated areas where people can park their vehicles and just live. Make the vehicle park safe, have showers and bathrooms onsite. Put a social services facility on the premises. Have people come in and clean the facility/park everyday. It beats having people just park on the street in residential neighborhoods and having to do these sweeps every few weeks. There has to be an empty industrial park or warehouse are they could use.

[@notanomad9320]

Not a bad idea for the 1st step and temporary situation until they can find better housing and a job but the homeless should be responsible for keeping the area clean. I'm assuming many homeowners and business complain and that prompts the sweeps which are partially done for health reasons.

[@ericamarie6681]

This is a really good idea! ❤

[@joolzg1936]

Yes! Why can't areas be designated. I know there are areas where these poor souls can be safe and find some peace.

[@msamberk]

Slme cities have gated and locked parking lots that are paid for shopping and ect during the day and when the stores close they gated parking area let's ppl who live in their cars come in and park and they lock the gates so the ppl can sleep safe, they even have security 24/7...it was shocking to see the lots almost full..anyone from young college kids to families of 4 living in a minivan all pulling in, using the portojohn toikets and outdoor sinks to brush teeth and clean up..and then they are go to their cars and they cut the over head bright lot lights at 10pm so the ppl can sleep in darkness but feel safe. I thought that was amazing, I wish there was something like this when i was living in my car..I never ever got good sleep always slept with one eye open and was so scared of someone attempting to hurt me

[@Debrajoy]

Oh that solution would just be too easy! It really angers me that there are solutions but our cities don't care! They just want to herd people around like animals!

[@talatalatikaani4770]

They need a safe space for these folks to park. A place where there's restrooms, washing stations, trash removal.

[@jamesstone9213]

Like a jobsite?

[@JulieSevelson-nb9nj]

​@@jamesstone9213At times, there's people who do security at job sites in their self- contained motorhomes. They park overnight on the property, like a construction project.

[@screenarts]

@@jamesstone9213 you think the old disabled are what employers are after? Suggest a place hiring homeless people? You know better, and deserve everything you wish for others.

[@user-yw4rj5dp5p]

Who is going to pay for that? Who is going to clean it up when they trash it?

[@GenX_US_Marine]

Nope, Tell them to get a god damn job doing something. A lot more people are willing to help people out if you help yourself out. People want handouts all the time and are just weak minded and give up.

[@rainewalker7284]

Wow! I used to know Joe through homeless outreach work in Seattle 10+ years ago. Extremely cool to see that he's still at it.

[@supme7558]

Pays his bills

[@PiggyFuktoy]

I’m almost 67 years old, permanently disabled and on Social Security, and I’ve now been homeless for a year and a half…. I live in my car, unwanted everywhere by every city even though I spend way way more being homeless than being housed… gas food, yet I get so much less: cramped conditions, no heat, bad diet, no immediate toilet facilities or none ….

[@nathaniel4121]

Just leave the country where rent is $100 a month.

[@Lily2.]

Horrible that this i USA today. They put so much money in to other things and not any on the poor in USA. I live in Sweden. You all deserve so much better.

[@crystalmasters8582]

I’m so sorry. This is what I keep trying to get everyone to see. What do you want the people here to do?? Just disappear but with no help? To the man saying leave the country, yeah right. She can’t even stay in a hotel htf is she getting to another country let alone another state. Homeless and don’t speak the language too?

[@nathaniel4121]

@@crystalmasters8582 I just see billions going to Ukraine, Americans can use that money.

[@RCPlanesCoptersTrucks]

I was a vehicle dweller in Seattle for 15 years. The worst problem was dealing with the large criminal element within the homeless community. I've been off the street and living in a home in Oregon, for almost a year now, thanks to my Brother and his wife.

[@waventures855]

I lived in Seattle for 5 years (until Dec 2021) and used to volunteer at the Georgetown and Othello Tiny home/homeless villages. It was emotionally draining to see what the homeless population goes thru, but I’m thankful to these organizations that continue to do good work. I pray that we find more solutions to end homelessness.

[@wot4922]

She nay have suffered so much due to her family but, Lux, I sincerely hope life turns around for you. You deserve better.

[@debroahisaacs2452]

I was homeless a few years ago for l am thankful a couple of months. I'm retired and get social security and the town I was in I knew very well. There was an awesome homeless outreach that fed me once a day. I could shower everyday and around the corner was a laundrymat. I was very blessed to have an income a SUV and I had different places to park and sleep. And being old took me longer but I was abundantly blessed. These precious people . God please help and the very nice man who drives around and helps. He's an angel on earth,very nice guy.

[@suzvalentino1901]

We could learn a lot from Japan they take care of the elderly. They have invested heavily in training of geriatricians and community care centers for elderly with no families. China is doing the same they are learning from the Japanese on elder care. The U.S. could take an education from the Japanese on elder care. Take care.

[@bdo2304]

@@suzvalentino1901 problem is they also pay taxes for it and americans are unwilling to do so.

[@ryanjofre]

Good luck. God bless you.

[@alyciamarie4163]

@@suzvalentino1901 they hide their issue in those countries

[@supme7558]

Huh of you have income whats the problem ..you made a choice

[@waynemcgarrity5171]

I've been homeless and my 1 priority was to keep my space clean. That is often all it takes to avoid the sweeps.

[@jazziered142]

There is a lot of mental illness in the homeless community, and some of them are just not up to it.

[@JanetUrban-tr1cz]

The government doesn't care about these people on the streets. They tell them to move. They care more about helping illegals instead..

[@teresaforsyth6185]

Absolutely! Keep it clean/tidy and 99% you're fine!

[@boundariessetinstone5893]

Exactly these ppl make everything look bad and that’s the problem.

[@boundariessetinstone5893]

@@jazziered142I have a severe hip condition since young so painful and extreme depression. I grew up with a addict mother and abusive father and was homeless most of my life. No matter where I was I always kept the place clean. There is no excuse for being dirty unless you are physically disabled as I am. And even with my physical disability I push myself hard to keep my apt clean. So much so that most the time tears are dropping down my face while I do it, but I refuse to live like a mess. I’m losing my apt now and my parents our only support system died tragically 10 months ago. I am getting a van to make it a camper van you won’t see any trash outside of me or inside if it no excuses.

[@tasalaotele4346]

My heart breaks for the homeless. I live in Samoa and there is no such thing as homeless. Everyone deserves basic needs e.g shelter, food and water ❤

[@G4RY1159]

People come here to the UK from various parts of the planet claiming asylum, they usually arrive here illegally yet our Government put them all up in hotels, a vast amount of them are economic migrants but I find very disturbing is we have people who were born in the UK and fought for this country yet they are on the streets. Totally BONKERS MENTAL.

[@Slarti]

@@G4RY1159 I don't think anyone in the UK should be behind an immigrant when it comes to shelter - we need to look after our own first.

[@seventhchild7270]

@@G4RY1159 same situation in the United States

[@The2ndFirst]

Nobody deserves anything. You deserve what you work for. Enableing people to live like animals is not humane

[@JulieSevelson-nb9nj]

​@@G4RY1159Yes, I heard about that. And investors in London and other places keep their apartments empty, because it's profitable. Not ALL people who are homeless, are addicted or alcoholic, it's these damned high rents in place that caused homelessness. In the 60's and 70's, you didn't see this large scale homelessness until 1980, that's when the rents jumped up several hundred dollars in a month, staying that way. It's political corruption behind the low vacancy rates/ high rents. Building enough housing would bring the rents down, but the real estate industry always fights this,as does politicians, apartment associations, developers,etc. And stern, conservative pundits oppose housing being built,they just say," lock ' em up !". Clamoring for internment camps, arrests and prisons,instead. Many homeless people are seniors and disabled people ! It's a stereotype,to claim only drunk guys and meth users are homeless. Plus homeless people have jobs also- but you dare not tell the boss,or company! You'll be fired if you do. A country like America should never have a homeless crisis. But then again, Neoliberalism is why we do. Sending jobs and manufacturing out of the country didn't help the citizens,that's for sure ! It seems all English- speaking countries are copying each other. Especially when it comes to housing issues.

[@ledzep3692]

Seeing this, just brings tears to my eyes. I lived in a vehicle for three years. I got lucky... when my housing finally came through, someone ran a red light and totaled my vehicle/home. I had to dodge the insurance company because they wanted the rent vehicle back before I could find a place to accept section 8 ...plus my pet's were with me. It all worked out, but I'm still without a vehicle because prices are too high. It feels great to have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in. There were days that I thought I freeze to death when my alternator went out during the coldest days of the year. That really tested me. I was struggling not to end it all. That's why I can't help but cry while watching this.

[@Ms.Delphine1204]

I'm glad you're doing better! I pray you get a vehicle soon ❤

[@ledzep3692]

@@Ms.Delphine1204 Thank you.

[@Earthbound369]

I'm so glad for you & pets. Hang on to that place for dear life! It's a blessing.

[@yunnyww]

Happy for you things are better. Never give up ❤

[@ledzep3692]

@@Earthbound369 Yes indeed. Thank You.

[@SweetUniverse]

I used the last of my money to move out of Seattle 15 yrs ago. It cost me $4,000+ to move to an affordable place. Seattle was expensive. The competition for the apts that existed was stiff. Crime was also escalating.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

I left Portland 6 years ago. Cost me $10,000 to move. Best money I ever spent.

[@renwilder6339]

Why did it cost 4k

[@badlands555]

For at least some of these people moving makes a lot of sense.

[@eckankar7756]

in the 1970s to the 1990s I lost so many friends to Seattle. They went there on vacation, loved it and moved. Now I wonder what they think of the city and where they are now. It must have been so beautiful back then, and totally different now. I've never been there and don't plan on a visit now.

[@LeannsAdventures]

​@eckankar It was beautiful. We could walk around downtown in the 90s and felt safe as teenagers. Now I just avoid going to Seattle if I can. I feel like the city is just rotting away.

[@milothegreatful]

my heart goes out to the 19-year-old.

[@philgar7786]

Of course, way too many will claim it's all her fault. She can get out whenever she wants. She just has to save money and buy some property or a home, etc.

[@virgilhilts3924]

@@philgar7786 Who's fault is it then...

[@agamenonatreo8529]

This society need to learn a lot from Menonites and Amish !

[@virgilhilts3924]

@@agamenonatreo8529 Yes... They CHOOSE to work hard and live within their means They also CHOOSE to not make babies they cannot afford... or drink... or do drugs...

[@agamenonatreo8529]

@@virgilhilts3924 so that is the Amish way ! and in that way they are more free, free without drugs and vicious !

[@nothingspecific.8119]

I feel and understand all these people. I live in my van full time. Although it's my choice to do so, I still understand most of their issues! Unfortunately, many , many more people will be homeless in the coming months & years because of job loss, inflation, etc... We are not a disease, we are people just like everyone else!

[@jimbear8888]

The hostility that people who live in sticks and bricks is astounding. I'm a van dweller also and yes, I'm human. I think the haters are going to find out soon enough when reality kicks in. Gas, food, rent is gonna be out of reach soon. Nice to meet you! God bless us all!

[@AUTISTICLYCAN]

I understand and gladly help homeless folk who are not drunks, criminal thugs and druggies. I have a mental block when it comes to seeing homeless drunks and addicts as anything but victims of their own choices. When I say criminal I DON'T mean those homeless people who have records for so called, "Quality Of Life Crimes!" Criminalizing standing, sitting and laying down on a bench is stupid. Criminalizing pooping on the streets, drug abuse, panhandling and erecting tents big enough to block the sidewalk with junk I agree with. Public Health Sweeps that power wash, disinfect and clean the streets are vitally needed when encampments make sidewalks impassably strewn with garbage, dope needles, feces and much worse!

[@nmc1859]

Yes i agree. We need to find a much better way to treat people!!

[@SaintTrinianz]

@@AUTISTICLYCAN Every time I get busted for throwing a small bag of garbage into the dumpster of a business, I think, this is what happened in Portland, right? People who won't let the homeless use a toilet or throw away their trash are part of the problem...

[@brichrisope1539]

In a van by the river lol. 😅😅😅

[@Mercurychyld1]

It is utterly heart wrenching to see ANYONE…SO MANY living like this in this country! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@lambchop6278]

I find it disgusting how the "cleaners" just throw these peoples' belongings in the bin. America is cruel to it's people. All except the rich. And even they must live with some underlying fear, should they ever be down in their luck, there being so little by way of a safety net in the United States. Profit above everything else: what a disaster. Finland provides housing to all citizens and as a result, they ended up saving money. Yep: saving. And the added bonus: they actually put a priority on well being of citizens -!! Good gosh!! No! Americans need to face facts that the way the US is run is clearly NOT working.

[@preshisify1]

☕

[@jamesstone9213]

What?. Jobless??

[@preshisify1]

You must be a troll, if rents are 2k, and you make 1k to 1,500 per month for everything, 12 months per year, or put food on a buy now pay later plan, do the math....

[@gfkusaka]

But if you help them, where does the help stop and they start helping themselves ? . . . Homeless people have been a part of the human race from the beginning. . It's not a problem that can be eliminated without placing a large burden on the people who are working and trying to pay their own bills. .

[@SophiaChristian-so2of]

This administration is putting many families in difficult situations. A lot of people are financially struggling to live, put a roof over their head and put food on the table. Things are getting worse these days, if you don't find means of multiplying your money you might wake up a day to realize you didn't plan well for yourself and family.

[@MarkFreeman-xi3rk]

I'm surprised someone mentioned here, a friend told me of her good works toward investment last month, l decided to start with $4000, l'm glad my profits hit $16,300 in few weeks, seeking for coin's investment is indeed profitable. All thanks to Margaret Johnson Arndt

[@cythiahan8455]

@@MarkFreeman-xi3rk I'm in dire need of an investment advisor, how do I reach the mentioned Margaret?

[@MarkFreeman-xi3rk]

You can easily search her online.

[@AntonioBianh]

This is really helpful to my situation!! Thanks, I will search her immediately with the provided name, I'll give her a head start of $3,500, to start building my retirement savings account.

[@sinebar]

Oh come on! Families have been in difficult situations long before this administration.

[@sock4539]

I hope we can come together as a society and finally open our eyes and realize how these people are human just like us, they deserve help, they deserve homes.

[@erockromulan9329]

They deserve a room in treatment centers away from downtown

[@mohammedmahroof246]

Only enoughroom to house all the Ukrainians

[@farrisovich]

The government wants these people to exist, it’s a reminder to the rest of the population what happens if you don’t toe the line, don’t get up and go to that job everyday.

[@MrGabrielJude]

What party runs the city?

[@Kristine14]

​@@mohammedmahroof246 actually I believe that's biden's illegals. 😮

[@veganc5028]

I'm sorry for saying this but one of the biggest problems that homeless people bring onto themselves, is throwing garbage and junk all over. We have a homeless shelter in the city where I live and the neighborhood around it has been completely destroyed with their junk and garbage.

[@mononymousmouse]

Where are they supposed to take their trash? And how?

[@lc6636]

@@mononymousmouseTo a garbage can. They are everywhere.

[@JR_SupportOurHeroes]

What do you do as a volunteer to help other's in need?

[@laurablack2262]

@@lc6636 there are barely any garbage cans in our city. It’s damn ridiculous.

[@SpokaneGirl85]

@@mononymousmouse If they have a job, they can haul it to a dump. Or go find a public trash can and throw their trash away there without it letting their trash pile up. I toss my trash out all the time when I travel, I throw it away at gas stations, rest areas.

[@welikegoodies]

I just wanna hug Lux 😭 IM SO DISGUSTED AT THE GOVERNMENT. Taking away the very little of what people have. Absolutely shameful.

[@spaciousentropy]

Me too!

[@kitbiggz6135]

I still have a soft spot for the young people that can be helped. This girl just needs safe housing and some job training to get back on her feet.

[@tamizral]

yep and yet they can afford to send billions in AID to Ukraine...

[@earnold1896]

​@@tamizral...yeah it's got ridiculous and shameful instead of building tiny houses.

[@trace8153]

watching from australia

[@--ag]

The 19 yr old. God bless her and everyone dealing with homelessness and living in a vehicle 🙏

[@mattmanjack]

Not all of us want to be housed just left alone,I've been in a van over 4 years I love it why can't we just be left alone.

[@taraba5475]

God bless 😂 are you kidding yourself

[@lorainestjames4181]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@philgar7786]

@@taraba5475 Do you think you are worth being heard here? You're kidding yourself!

[@JulieSevelson-nb9nj]

​@@philgar7786I thought that Seattle was a ' liberal ' city, that helps to get housing for their homeless residents. Evidently this is a myth. It's not a poor area,so why aren't they building affordable housing for working class and homeless people ? The sanitation and police departments cost way MORE with these policies than it does to create housing.

[@scottlavoie5405]

I was taken from my moms when I was young and I started running away at the age of 13, I successfully ran away at the age of 16 and was homeless till 18ish! I was lucky to have someone help me out with an address and I got a job shortly after that, I hated being homeless so I worked a lot to save money, it wasn't easy and not many people care enough to help! I feel their pain, and I know what that man means when he says he cries for them, cause I do too!

[@uwantsun]

My story, same.

[@JulieSevelson-nb9nj]

Congratulations on your escaping homelessness ! Kudos to you,and anyone who can !🎉🎉

[@Knightyboii]

This old guy deserves a medal such a considerate guy big love fam

[@jasonmurray3472]

I wish i could give to these people but I'm close to homelessness myself. I work work work for pennies its so expensive to do anything for us lower class people who have never experienced what its like to live with financial security. Im heartbroken for them and myself. Im just a slave working for the people who have some money.

[@SweetUniverse]

Same 👍👍

[@jasonmurray3472]

@@SweetUniverse good luck to you

[@shhletsgohurryup5736]

That's 90% of people

[@lynnescaddan8919]

The government should be ashamed when you see the wealth they have

[@eckankar7756]

we need MASSIVE birth control NOW so this doesn't continue into the next generation. The population globally has doubled since I was young and the planet is just not sustaining so many. We've polluted the air, water and ground, now we're changing the weather. TOO many people to keep going on.

[@WhoDoUthinkUr]

As someone who spent a few years Homeless I can say from real life Experience, Rehab is where most need to go. The rest who are just down on there luck don’t stay Homeless long, because they take the shelter and temp housing help successfully .

[@vastirvision]

This is a great point. It's true, and it is something that people often don't seem to want to acknowledge. I was living in my RV for almost three years, and just now got a real place. I worked the entire time I lived in that RV. But I know for a fact, if I was still shooting heroin, I'd still be in that RV. Getting high would be my #1 priority each and every day. I've been off heroin since 2016, and I'm one of the lucky ones; because if I was still using today, it wouldn't be heroin I'd be buying on the streets, it would be fentanyl. The cycle of homelessness begins for many, and continues, with addiction. It's so hard to keep a job with a bad drug habit. It's nearly impossible long-term. You can't afford rent if you can't keep a steady job. It's easy to see how we get trapped in the streets. As long as that drug is keeping you high, you don't have to face your problems.

[@WhoDoUthinkUr]

@@vastirvision My story is very similar. I'm glad when I was Homeless in the late 90's open drug use was not tolerated at all here, or I never would have stopped I would definitely be dead. I cleaned up years ago. I still fought with booze on and off for some years after, but now I'm completely clean over 10 years. I own 2 houses now one is a rental Life just keeps getting better .

[@theundone777]

Things are different the last few years. A lot of people that are recently homeless are working full-time, it just costs too much to live.

[@Chahlie]

Yes. The young woman could easily work in a remote resort, if she could have someone take her cat. It would give her experience and set her up with a nest egg. I bet she could even take the cat- every fishing lodge I've worked at had rodent issues!

[@deepfocusinside4685]

@@Chahlie Before she would be able to work, she'd need a therapy to solve her childhood trauma. I had some issues in my family too, with a drinking father and I know how hard it is to find self confidence and enough inner peace to be able to work even in a simple job like you've mentioned.

[@efemboygg]

i love this city. its been a few years, but seeing my peers struggles again takes me back. i love yall and hope for the best

[@lisascott4207]

Goes to show how one person can make the difference. This man was put here for a reason. God bless you sir!

[@CaptApril123]

"I'm not a nice man".. God: 'yea, sure.'

[@zippagraphics]

How are others out there coping with the reality of this world? Even though I’m not living the RV experience personally, it gives me a profoundly dark anxiety to know that we as a species treat our own in this horrendous way. Why can’t we just allow people to exist simply, as peacefully as possible? It was not very long ago that most people in society could attain housing if they wanted it; you didn’t have to have a hundred thousand dollar salary or extensive wealthy family to have basic heat and shelter or to have your means of survival not eviscerated by police; And you didn’t have to rely on a kind hearted stranger to pull your house on a rope or charge your vehicle battery by chance. The cost of merely surviving is insane and normal people are suffering immensely for this. No compassion. For what reason? I don’t know how any of us can stand to live in this world that we have created.

[@nmc1859]

I agree. The indignity. I think it's called 'a war on the poor'. How shameful that any white tower 'professional' came up with such an idea as to treat these struggling people this way. Like they have no right to breathe 😔😒

[@bombaybeach208]

There is nothing "peaceful" about the homeless. If you don't like getting shuffled around, work on getting employed, stopping your addiction and cleaning up your life.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

@@bombaybeach208 If you bothered to do your research thoroughly, which you failed to do so, you would have realized and found out not all homeless people are drug addicts, alcoholics, huffers, willfully homeless or living out of a tent or RV, or criminals. How do I know? I speak from present experience as my husband and I are homeless after I became disabled and was unable to work anymore, and on top of that, my husband is working three jobs to try to help us get back on our feet. Next time you want to shoot your mouth off and make broadstroke assumptions about people in ignorance, you would do better to actually go out there and learn! But the question is will you? My guess is you like your cognitive dissonance and don’t like having it debunked by someone who disproves your assumption. May God have mercy on you and lead you to the real truth. God bless!

[@brianwilson8983]

Hey dimwit , maybe you would rather be a chicken ? ABX have your head pecked off in your pecking order? If any number of other species tgat get treated worse. If you can’t afford where you live go some place you can. Plenty of places you can live where you dint need a 100 k job. The bottom line is These people made their choices in life and their choices sucked. Now they made their bed and can lay in it. The law of averages applies to humans too , some make it some don’t.

[@tysa1999]

@@bombaybeach208 there a LOT of people who work and are either double-up with family or friends or live in their cars because they cannot afford even a basic place. These are the truly 'invisible' homeless people. They are mentally and physically stable but housing costs are too high. Wages have not kept up with the cost of living for decades.

[@ZX7RPANDA]

I've been living in my shuttle bus for almost a year now outside the Seattle area I've only been asked to move twice and they even felt bad for asking me to move the main thing I suggest if your living out of your vehicle is keep things tidy do your maintained on your vehicle and don't leave things out side your rig

[@teresaforsyth6185]

Absolutely! Keep things tidy. Keep the van clean on the outside. Don't smoke or use drugs or alcohol--a waste of money. Stay quiet.

[@josephsmith2682]

The sweeps have been so horrible. Thank you for documenting this

[@dreameryoung38]

By documenting these sweeps people are given a little more time to move

[@geovanniinusa5973]

I agree wholeheartedly with you! What you have to put up with when parking on someone else's property for free for an indefinite period of time. As long as I pay my lot rent at the RV park, I have not become a victim of the sweeps!

[@buzzikea]

Imagine looking at this trash waking up in the morning in a $1.5mil house. Hell yeah I pay money to move this trash out of my street.

[@jimbear8888]

Oh the times we live in 😢 I live in a van on family property but not for long. Thank you all who put yourself out there to help these people. God bless 🙏♥️

[@CharleneOrtizTraining]

The sad thing is these people shouldn't have to create a private organization to help the homeless because our government should be handling this problem. So many states are given 10s of millions of dollars every year to help the homeless situation, but an old man that has to use a walker is out there helping these people. What a beautiful and compassionate soul he is. I hope he is blessed 100x times over for what he does for the homeless. People like him are the ones that should be making the laws instead of the corrupt politicians that could care less and both parties are responsible. With all the money they get it's absolutely shameful how little is done for the homeless by our government.

[@freebrid5157]

🎉

[@eckankar7756]

@@CharleneOrtizTraining the thing is the money given to the homeless is taken from the people who went to school, show up for work, try to have a live but being taxed more and more and more to pay for people who choose NOT to provide for themselves. Poor people having 6 babies, homeless, drug abusers, all that costs money and every penny of that money comes from the dwindling population that shows up to put in a 40 hour work week.

[@ChristianSoldier71]

Hell is real. We can not hide our sins from God. Is your heart right with God? Jesus Christ loves you and He died for our sins. If you reject Jesus Christ, you will not have everlasting life in Heaven. ACTS 2:38 “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit....

[@karolinak828]

Amen!

[@AmandaAmanda-sh8lx]

I feel bad for them but why do they have to trash everything. You don't have to have money to be respectful.

[@eckankar7756]

I used to dream when I'd retire to sell my house and live in an RV. Now that I'm retired I'm staying in my paid off house till I rot.

[@tmusa2002]

Me too. RV living is hard work. Some love it but if your health isn’t the best and if you don’t have a solid emergency fund and a fund for when you need a home again, stay in place for sure.

[@rd6006]

Your house is never paid off! Then again maybe you don't live in the USA??

[@rd6006]

I'm talking about the Grand Scheme of things! I'm referring to Property taxes, school taxes, maintenance & up keep, if the government at any time wants to rid you of your property because they want the land you live on, I assure you, they'll have it! If you had dinosaur bones, or a gold, diamamond, or a silver mine the property or a rich oil field on the property the government or anybody else wouldn't have a say in it? Roosters have Dens, & foxes have holes, but the son of man has no where to lay his head!

[@abr5819]

@@rd6006 true dat . Systemic abuse of every one . The tax man the feds the police congress all built on corruption

[@MagesseT1]

😂 funny!

[@valerief1231]

I live in Fort Worth Texas and depending what website you visit, the waiting list for housing states 7 or 15 years. Last time I checked for someone they weren’t even accepting applications. Think about a mother with toddlers, their kids might hit 18 before they get a roof over their head.

[@manco828]

She should have kept her legs closed.

[@sarahcrain792]

Here in Oregon the waiting list is 6 months to 2yr for low income housing Unless you can afford $1000 to $1200 or $1500 for rent then you’re into a place a lot faster than 6 months

[@JulieSevelson-nb9nj]

Yes,in Texas, they're very authoritarian, Neoliberal, and are proud of their harsh conditions in those housing scenarios.. In California, immigrants did get housing,even before veterans did. In fact, there's a lawsuit filed against the VA in Los Angeles, for doing real estate deals behind the veteran's backs, while veterans were,and are,dying on the street, or in the tents on freeways, and foothill camps !! Something is so wrong with this picture !

[@airbrushken5339]

In the mid 70's while I was in the US Army, my civilian boss asked me to help them build some portable military offices. I was a Bump and Paint man before I was drafted and ended up staying with the Army after VN...The idea he had was to make an office out of a 20 foot container. I welded support brackets for the plumbing and electrical... we glued 2 X 4 studs to the walls with insulation and the ceiling sitting on top of those walls. In the center or the ceiling I welded brackets to secure the ceiling studs. The Base engineers ran the wiring for 12 Volt/24 Volt and 110 Volt We also made a mount for an air conditioner in the front. This was almost 50 years ago and at the time my Boss said; "You know this would make a great small cabin, just add some "Murphy Beds", heater/stove and a fridge... They later added a front wall and door behind the metal doors. Why not try that same idea for the homeless... Lease some county or state land and set some up. Arrange for bus service a few times a day to the area so they can get to school, training or work... maybe even a rent to buy system so they become owners... dress up the outside and add a front porch and back door... just a thought.

[@Juju-l3o]

I love hearing stories like this❤

[@annsaunders5768]

Government often rejects the structure for living in. (Basically they don't get tax money from these "homes" [property taxes]) It's a racket, but the same politicians keep getting elected.

[@sapphireblue222]

There are countess small home ideas and plans, but our government would rather give our tax dollars to the corrupt Ukrainian officials and to Israel. Homelessness could be solved fairly easily if the money to fund the solution is there.

[@mangsouk9018]

I feel for these people. My son moved to Oregon and was homeless for a few months. Rent is not affordable for someone making minimum wage. You almost have to have roommates in order to pay $1400 on rent.

[@nathaniel4121]

Tell your son to get an SUV and pull the seats out the back.

[@MrWolfSnack]

Then move to somewhere more rural. I live in Indiana, rent here is $700 a month for an entire 4 bedroom house. Stop living in the most populated places and you will find out how cheap everything is.

[@charlesrobert6211]

Suggest that you advise your son to move to a small town that has plenty of jobs and low rent. Here in Michigan, there are plenty of them, just stay away from big cities.

[@joed6749]

@@charlesrobert6211 Why do those small towns have homeless too then?

[@charlesrobert6211]

@@joed6749 Very few if any, most are coming from across the border, and they too find shelter. I moved from Grand Rapids Michigan which is boom town with rent skyrocketing to a small town. Apartments here are begging for tenants. Most rent is between $500 to 700 a month. There are also plenty of good paying jobs.

[@gotohellenwaite6371]

I live in Chicago, we have homeless tents all over. It is sad!!! We have groups that help get them blankets, coats, clothes, food. Normally the ones helping are a check or three away from being in need . They are young, old, veterans, women, children, sick, mentally ill, all have a story. Yet let’s bring more in from other countries and the government here will make shelter and food appear, yet our streets are full of citizens who are stepped over by the government. If you can take old warehouses and turn them into shelters for other countries citizens, why can’t they do that for our own?!😡

[@freefromit2]

The haters have no idea how easy it is to slip through the cracks. I've been there. falling in that hole is easy, climbing back out is very hard.

[@iamtheoaa]

By haters you mean people who work hard and aren't addicted to crack? It's not that hard to not end up on the streets. Three words: GET A JOB

[@annsaunders5768]

If you have no alternatives but living on the streets and getting a hand up, why are you not mending fences with family and or friends that might take you in?

[@freefromit2]

@@annsaunders5768 did you stop to think maybe there weren't any?

[@lesleykuramoto3943]

Hang in there...❤

[@jakesato1652]

About to be back on the streets after 4 years of living paycheck to paycheck. Even if you're making $20/hr, thats only $1 over Seattle's minimum wage. Lots of people are 1 missed check away from being homeless. You pretty much have to have a roommate if you want to save any money.

[@goclunker]

Thank you posting this! This is exactly it. I make $20/hr in San Diego. I live out of my van. It is the ONLY way i have been able to SAVE. I would be stuck paycheck to paycheck without a penny to my name otherwise

[@MagesseT1]

And having roommates isn't all it's cracked up to be, either... Even friends, besties, have falling outs, so get in, make your money, and move on...

[@goclunker]

@@MagesseT1 its terrible. In 2014 rents were starting at $700. Now its $1400. Wages are at $20/hr since at least 2014, unless you are biomedical or Qualcomm. Its unsustainable

[@yvonnegrant3736]

@@MagesseT1better than living on street or in a tent,

[@verlindaallen3335]

My heart aches for the houseless. I to love on people everywhere I go. My little brother died on the streets. Forever will I miss him. However, my mama passed away January 19,2023. They are together now. That is a beautiful thing.

[@michelle_m4446]

Your comment hit hard. I too lost my big brother . he OD'd, homeless. I feel your pain. Sending hugs

[@Candykiss234]

Lux is so young so hope she be ok and her little cat bless them all ❤

[@MountainGirlwIPA]

I love to see other humans helping others in need. Thank you for the video ❤️

[@jonryan5339]

God bless what you do for others. Being homeless sucks and once you get to that point in your life it's difficult to get back up.

[@ThereseDavidson]

These people are great, they help strengthen their self esteem because they treat them with kindness and respect (even if they don’t have a home; which should be a given for every human).

[@davidhutchinson5233]

There needs to be a national push for low income/subsidized housing. And I mean built with a degree of quality and easy financing terms or no down payment programs. We need this so desperately in the US.

[@InvisiblePeople]

Spot on

[@cjhoward409]

All the apartments in my little town are section 8. Most people pay next to nothing. So, if you’re working, you’re overqualified for these apartments. But there’s no other apartments. 😡

[@MrBlack-wt5er]

​@@cjhoward409 Get low income! Low income is 33% of your gross income so obviously you probably only want to work about 15 hours a week OR have someone else do it! You would have to sneak around if someone else did it but between two people, one person working hardly at all and the other (NOT CLAIMING THEY LIVE THERE) and having their I.D somewhere else and their (mail) delivered somewhere else the second person can work as much as they want and do not let anyone know! Some people will try to report this and it is (Fraud) to not claim all the income in the flat but it wouldn't be worth it at that point! People on section 8 generally do work, they are usually (single mothers) and disabled people and that voucher probably covers about 80% of the rent and I disapprove of it because men basically can't use it.

[@virgilhilts3924]

These people need to push themselves into making better life choices and working harder

[@hellsbells5389]

@@virgilhilts3924lol if only working harder could just poof fix all this. Wages suck and everything is crazy expensive. I worked two jobs while I was homeless, it really is hard to pull yourself out. A lot of these people look elderly, and A LOT very well might be vets. America has a problem taking care of their veterans. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Franaflyby]

You people better be careful about mistreating those people who are barely surviving in their RVs. Please find them temporary or short-term places to park. Abusing your authority will only come back to harm all those who think it can't happen to them. We need to remember they are human and that they are our brothers and sisters. God bless that older veteran who was once homeless for 20 years. To see another man cry over others is very, very rare and precious in this world.

[@davelowets]

They need some employment. NOT a handout. 🙄

[@Franaflyby]

@da1ve468 low e.t.'s I agree. But they first need housing or at least a place to get cleaned up and ready to go out looking. They also need a mental health clinic that can treat their needs. I work around, and with the homeless, a large majority of them are on drugs or have mental illness that needs to be treated. There are also those that are just lazy and don't want to work. So yes, no handouts.

[@BeeKay4444]

This is absolutely 💔 to see how these people are FORCED TO LIVE because their government doesn’t care!

[@vintagegal7376]

If you can't help yourself...why should anyone else try to help you ??

[@steelasura]

We fight for less government outreach not more. These people can't keep their living spaces clean, they obviously don't care about themselves

[@annsaunders5768]

It actually comes down to what a person is willing to do to make a way for themselves. People in China still have it far far worse!

[@theconfusingwords]

I was on a waiting list for housing in the Boston area. I was told it was over a 10 year wait. It’s been 11 years since I applied, and since then I got a house of my own. I spent years living in a vehicle. I got a letter saying the wait list was still ten years + the other day. I don’t need it now, but it’s not there when anyone needs it. That’s where the problem is.

[@bobwa399]

what is waiting list for housing?

[@Xrayeyes3965]

Ugh! Boston is the worst for housing! Especially now. I grew up there. I live in Maine now. Less stress, but housing is getting crazy here too.

[@gregkareem9824]

So you not gonna answer the question? Your gatekeeping

[@StreetHierarchy]

According to Wikipedia, crimes against humanity are widespread or systemic criminal acts which are committed by or on behalf of a de facto authority, usually by or on behalf of a state, that grossly violate human rights.

[@peachmango5347]

I worked at Industry for the Blind - it was great seeing blind people wanting and willing to pull their fair share

[@iwilson6651]

In San Diego the city left the RVs alone until the trash became impossible to ignore. Such a shame for those who did not live like pigs.

[@johnhood578]

Seattle has gotten hundreds of millions of dollars to deal with the homeless issue. Inslee is asking for $4 billion more. The city and county need to purchase or set aside land for these people to park their RVs and set up tents. Seattle needs to build restroom, shower and laundry facilities there and provide trash and security. They have the money. They also need to account for all of the money they already have.

[@yvonnegrant3736]

Yes someone is not doing the right thing with funds allocated to help homeless

[@naturallyric84]

That money is being 'diverted' for 'administration cost'. It's stolen by politicians and white collar thieves who look down on the people they are supposed to be helping.

[@suemoreno5217]

Probably in they'er pocket needs to be invistigated.

[@grandmakathy]

I would love to donate but sadly I'm on disability and am barely making ends meet. All I have to offer is my prayer and a heartfelt thanks to those who help these people. I was homeless for 1 month when we moved to San Diego. Luckily I got a minimum wage job to rent a week by week room and then found a job in my field which afforded us to be able to get an apartment. Life on the streets is hard and people just need a break, a little help and compassion.

[@jessn7034]

Sooooo many taxpayers in every single state are 1 paycheck away from ending up like this.

[@ericamarie6681]

Exactly!

[@ericamarie6681]

One month of not working, one month of being sick and not being able to work, having an extensive car repair, one paycheck away from being in these situations. Sad but true.

[@goclunker]

Yes they are. So many of them leave such toxic and horrible comments on videos like this. They seriously need a taste of what it’s like to be in this situation, a little bit of humbling

[@sharrose7594]

Our nearby city just got another two million, not one person roaming the streets will get real help. Money will go to study homelessness (their extravagant lunches etc), shuffle money among administration, agencies. I looked into this years ago in Cincinnati. I read about a grant and lookup up number of homeless, could have bought each a home. Thievery off backs of those in need.

[@sharrose7594]

Real problem is greed and I believe most addictions are intentional posioning of our youth and for drug trafficking profit

[@EYES2seeEARS2hear78]

Exactly, government taxes people, gets fed grants, etc and virtually none of that money ends up helping those who need it. It’s a racket. It’s my opinion this is done by design. As stated by WEF “ you will own nothing and be happy” when UN Agenda 2030 moves whomever is left into “Smart Cities” completely controlled by this tyrannical World government. Problem-Reaction-Solution Hegelian Dialectic

[@LilyGazou]

Exactly

[@SamSung-tw3vi]

Seattle is my hometown. It breaks my heart to see how the homeless are treated. The 19 year old has her whole life ahead of her. None of them should give up hope.

[@bambinaforever1402]

How do people become homeless anyway? U do have social system in usa

[@brawnbenson552]

@@bambinaforever1402 Drug addiction, mental illness.

[@joshbanks9261]

Social system are u kidding me? The cost of living has skyrocketed back home. How are supposed to survive when u can't afford rent? If you only have a High School diploma what kind of job can u get? The right says trade school yeah but guess what happens you have too many employees for one type of job. I got an inheratince live overseas will stay here till I'm old and grey. Many people work together just scrape by back home or have odd jobs or lucky live in cheaper areas share a house. But its easy to end up on the streets. Many have mental problems employee problems as well. It just shows a broken system no one cares to fix. Its a sad state of society.

[@joed6749]

@@brawnbenson552 That describes a minority of American homeless. Most are just impoverished by the economic system we choose to have here.

[@ninasaunders4977]

I was in a DV relationship and once I was able to leave I had no where to go and no money to go there. No family no friends bc my ex had me alienated. I had wasted a ton of money applying and filling out applications & being turned down. I also work and have a decent job but I can't pay $1200 for a studio apartment plus lights, gas, heat, ac wifi, phone, car insurance, health insurance all for me to be home 4-5 hrs a night. I found an office space that's 10x20 and moved in there with an air mattress. This country needs better housing options.

[@ninasaunders4977]

@@Malacha-q6n nope not at all. Where I live I found one for rent on craigslist and went to look at it and it's actually a good size . I was expecting like 10x5 or something like that but I got a 10x20 office space for $350! I shower at the gym which is 5 mins away n my work is 9 mins away. It's been a life saver . You have kids though. You should be contacting shelters and they have resources to help u. With kids u wouldn't be in the shelter more than 3 days and they would find u a place. U wouldn't be able to be in a place like where I'm at bc any kind of noise someone would know kids are here. I'm by myself. I'm super quiet and try not to even go out in the hallway after 9 if I dont have to this means bathroom also. So I stop drinking stuff early so I don't have Togo out there.

[@mudthe1st512]

These workers are true Heroes for helping those who are in need.

[@lizardfishmanbearpig1818]

I lived in my van for years due to huge medical bills, bad credit, and low wages. I was never bothered by anybody. The key is to not make a mess, have basic respect, and to not outstay your welcome in any location. I bought a very dark window tinting kit and kept my vehicle very nondescript and clean. I moved to one of 7 different locations every night for years. The best places to park are large hotel and medical facility parking lots. I see many with this lifestyle staying at the same spot for weeks and months, throwing their trash, drug paraphernalia, and human waste on the street. All the while they victimize local business and residences with theft and destruction of property. I don’t have much sympathy for those who refuse to respect society at large and play victim while leeching resources from people who do want to work and contribute.

[@MySkinnydip]

I live in a home in West Seattle by Westwood shopping center and a bunch of RV’s right across from my house. It’s all the trash that they leave that bothers me.

[@InvisiblePeople]

Th city should house people, and since that is not happening, they should at a minium offer trash pickup

[@susansmith493]

​@@InvisiblePeopleYou mean the citizenry should house ppl. Governments's only source of income is YOU. If you feel citizens should house ppl, buy a small place and give it to someone. If everyone who whines about what the citizens should do for others, would ACTUALLY do it, the problem would be solved. Less talk., more action.

[@InvisiblePeople]

Watch this short video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZrdeaiIZ5doedE

[@lc6636]

@@InvisiblePeopleYou go pick up the trash laying around. The people living there could care less.

[@rustyshackleford4801]

@@susansmith493 we’re not going to individualize our way out of this collective problem..

[@CharleneOrtizTraining]

We often take the most basic things for granted. My husband and I live in a converted 30 ft bus, but it was something we planned so we had the money to do what we wanted and we have an awesome solar system and it looks beautiful inside. We're very fortunate because we own an acre of land so we never have to worry about having to move. We get to enjoy living in our bus whilst these people live in fear everyday living in their broken and run down RVs. They can never really sit back and just rest. Of course we've worked very hard for everything we have. Nothing has been handed to us and we both grew up in single parent homes where our moms were immigrants. My husband immigrated here from Mexico when he was 5. He grew up in East LA in the projects and was very poor growing up. My mom immigrated here from Guatemala when she was 26 and my sister and I were born in Boston. We didn't have much, but my mom cleaned houses and worked very hard to make sure we always had what we needed. She is my hero and the greatest mom anyone could ever have. I'm so grateful for her. Unfortunately many of these people came from abusive homes where they were never loved and made to feel like there worth nothing. It's so tragic. We are all worth being loved. We should all feel like we have value. The homeless problem is complex. It's not as simple as affordable housing. These people need treatment and support for the trauma many of them have experienced in life and help with drug addiction, mental illness, etc. The US mismanages so much money and will give illegal immigrants better support and services than our homeless and that's shameful. Unfortunately as long as corruption exists in our political system the homeless problem will not be solved. Both parties are responsible for homelessness. Every state has challenges with homelessness. The Democrats and Republicans waste too much energy pointing the finger at each other which solves nothing. Of course there is also a group of people that don't want to be helped. They don't want the responsibility of having a job and paying bills. They'll complain about how hard it is to be homeless, but if resources are offered to them they are not interested. That's why it's a complicated issue to solves. Everyone's situation is unique. I hope someday we have politicians that will make common sense, effective and compassionate policies that will help the homeless with treatment and resources that will help them build a life they can be proud and a home where they feel safe and a space that belongs to them.

[@jillianlea9690]

We can't really day what it is that makes a job and functioning possible ..there is trauma , illness ..mental and physical etc ...and the inconsistency of having a home and basic needs met .

[@parvathynayer354]

It makes me realise that even though we have homeless people in the UK, we are in a much better position. I worked as Consultant Psychiatrist and alongside Social Services, so I know first hand.

[@sheliadean9548]

Thank you for sharing this information with us. This breaks my heart and our government giving all our tax paying money to other countries.😢😢😢😢

[@marysebellerose7636]

These men are angels! what a great team!

[@kerridavis2630]

Thankyou for helping these people ❤ im from New Zealand and ive lived in my car before.. people would actually freak out when they found out i was living in my car. I kept myself clean & tidy and my car too. Its a hard life though for females..i was always on guard 🦋

[@shirleylangton7967]

What a heart-wrenching video! Kudos to the volunteers! We need to think differently about housing!💋💋

[@ericbellesfield1785]

Let's take a deeper look. While the minimum wage in Seattle has been rising slowly, the rent and cost of living has been quickly outpacing it. For every tech-billionaire that installs a HQ in downtown Seattle, more people on the outskirts get priced out of previously affordable housing. Many folks are feeling a loss of hope, and have no other option than to live in a tent or RV. Seattle doesn't have the social safety nets in place to PREVENT this from happening, let alone the programs needed to rehabilitate those already in this situation. Unfortunately, people who've lost all hope will frequently turn to substance abuse. This makes it exponentially harder to get people back into a productive role in society. I know desperate people do desperate acts to survive. However, this doesn't excuse the roving gangs of RV residents that siphon gas and steal catalytic converters. A bad neighbor is still a bad neighbor, whether their house has wheels or a concrete foundation. If your encampment has a pile of 50 stolen bike frames in front of a broken down RV, and the residents of your caravan are seen stealing propane tanks from yards, and cars windows are being smashed in a 3 block radius immediately around you, dont expect the neighborhood to welcome you with open arms. They will resent you, they will report you, and eventually you will be swept away. If you want to avoid that, be a good neighbor. Don't steal, and keep your encampment tidy. People will be far less likely to report an encampment if that encampment isn't causing trouble. In the longer term, the city needs to offer more programs to help people from falling through the cracks in the first place, more rehabilitation and job training programs, more tiny homes, rent control, and equitable pay for those working at the bottom.

[@Aurora-pi6jr]

Finally, a reasonable take.

[@Beautifully_Elle7]

I lived in Seattle for 6 months on contract. My mini studio was $2100/month. Rent is ridiculous.

[@carolina_girl3484]

This is such a sad state of affairs. Where are they supposed to go? This is inhumane. Come on Seattle, stop treating the homeless population like they don't matter. EVERYBODY MATTERS!!

[@erockromulan9329]

So do the rest of the people that live in this city who are being taken advantage of.

[@bombaybeach208]

The hard working residents of Seattle who have to look at this mess every day for years sure arent treated like they matter.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

@@bombaybeach208 Everyone matters, including the rich and poor.

[@carolina_girl3484]

@@awakenedsoul YES EVERYBODY DOES MATTER. What an absurd comment you made... Geesh!!!

[@carolina_girl3484]

@@bombaybeach208 These are people - homeless people. What are you talking about. They need a place to live. The city needs to do something. Obviously the residents aren't in charge of those matters.

[@Lunchladydoyle]

I’m sorry, I’m a former group home manager and I have to disagree with the woman who said there is no housing THERE IS. Unfortunately all of it requires the tenant be sober to maintain residency. Wether or not that is a moral requirement is up for debate. Question is how do we maintain SAFE housing for sober residents and at what point do we confront the reality that is no way society can help a homeless addict who refuses drug rehabilitation ?? My own father has refused treatment his whole life and has caused trauma to myself and the nine other kids he had with 4 women none of whom he took care of. At some point that dreaded reality of personal responsibility comes into play. I have seen people who were kicked out of section 8 housing multiple times who get housing again only to get thrown out because they refused to smoke cigarettes outside of their apartment instead of inside. Or whom snuck in their drinking buddy. When you’re working with disordered troubled people all our best efforts can be undone in a day if the resident is still on the path to self destruction. Are there people on the streets who aren’t dealing with drug addiction. Of course !! However, we can no longer pretend that it’s just a matter of providing more social services. People using those services have to meet us halfway and a shocking number of people we try to help literally bite the hand that feeds them. People hug your kids and love them unconditionally or someone else will be forced to “ parent “ them when they’re middled aged and it’s extremely difficult to change their patterns of behavior. And to those who will inevitably pile on me in the comments for being cold hearted ask yourself how much of your life have you dedicated to helping others in need ?? And how many homeless people have you housed ?? Because I’ve taken in 3 people off the streets with wildly mixed results. Peace and thanks for reading. ✌🏼

[@erockromulan9329]

These people need treatment centers, not free places to park their RV in downtown Seattle.

[@InvisiblePeople]

Treatment centers? 1st, treatment is good, but it’s proven not to work. Plus, and this is important, the leading cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing, NOT addiction! Do you think there’s a treatment center to create more affordable housing?!

[@erockromulan9329]

@@InvisiblePeople Yes, actually! In a way.... Affordable is subjective. You can't afford housing if you are using and refusing to work. I live here too and I've seen what's going on first hand. We have an addiction epidemic that needs to be first priority. Too many local shops are shutting down and moving away from Seattle because many of the people living on the streets are abusing their resources.

[@erockromulan9329]

@@InvisiblePeople I'm all for 'affordable' housing, but not in downtown Seattle. Downtown Seattle is where the drugs flow freely. There's a reason RV camps aren't mainly out in Bonney Lake or North Bend.

[@denverdubois5835]

@@InvisiblePeople The leading causes of homelessness are addiction and mental illness. Statistic after statistic, study after study, prove this over and over. In MANY places there is even a surplus of available housing and plenty of shelters but living in those would require rational adult behavior. As for housing costs--ultimately, many of us WANT to live in our favorite city but if we can't afford it, we go elsewhere. These people can do the same but many do not want to, any more than they want to give up their addictions, take their meds or be responsible adults with jobs. We have a homeless person in our family. We've all tried to take her in, many times--but she is a drunk who will not go to rehab (we offered to pay, and also paid for counseling and psychiatric help.) When her husband passed, she ended up homeless although he left her plenty of money and a nice apartment. Her elderly mother offered her a simple job at the family business; all she had to do was show up. She wouldn't, and proceeded to trash her mother's house and refused to help even with simple chores so her mother could spend more time with her own extremely elderly mother, who is in a local nursing home. Needless to say she never visited her grandmother, though she was regularly invited. Her own mother finally asked her to move out so she could offer her room to her stepson, who actually does help her run the business. So then she made the rounds of the rest of our family. She is in her 50s, but will not act like a grownup. She doesn't help out. She makes an absolute mess of her space, attracting bugs and mice. She procrastinates the simplest chores, like doing dishes, for weeks. She has meds but often skips them and she is an adult--we can't tie her down and force them on her. When she lived with her elderly father, she regularly claimed to love him but would not even make him a sandwich or sit with him for a few hours so his wife could run errands. When she stayed with us, we helped her with everything continually including SSI paperwork, housing applications, even job applications. She flaked on everything, drank continually, and brought men home around our young daughters, so after many warnings, we asked her to leave. She ended up at a rescue mission where the nuns took very good care of her, but she complained hatefully about them because they required that she abide by the rules, which were not unreasonable at all. So she began living in her car again, until it was towed for unpaid tickets. Her solution has been to find a naive older man and move in with him. This is her current situation and frankly, I hope it endures because he's genuinely besotted with her and this is probably her best case scenario. To emphasize--she passes basic government medical evaluations. She is strong physically and quite healthy. They deem her able to work, but she has mental/emotional issues and addictions. She is highly intelligent and did work for years. But she needs a keeper, to compensate for her lack of maturity and drinking/drug problems. I worked for many years at our local church and rescue org. helping to feed, counsel and house the homeless. I saw firsthand that most chronically homeless people are basically similar to my problem relative, some less severe and others much more so. The relatively rare homeless I ever saw who were solid people but just genuinely down on their luck, quickly got off the streets. It was a pleasure to help them put their lives back together. Nowadays, homeless advocates try to make it sound as if most homeless are that type, but it isn't true. They are disordered people, which is why they leave such trash and filth in their wake, and are so difficult to deal with. Most previously had safety nets of one type or another--usually a spouse or family member like our relative's mother--who for whatever reason was no longer able to carry them. I know countless people who overcame simple physical disabilities and still manage to work, have a place to live etc., but the mentally ill and addicted homeless, which again is most of them, need more help. Housing costs have little to do with the problem. It's about social cohesion and good medical care for all, not the economy. Even a poor nation could do better than we are doing because a lot of it is simply about having a policy of helping people even when they cannot or WILL not help themselves. Folks like to blame everything on "Reagan (or whoever) shutting all the mental hospitals", but the fact is, ignorant activists who could not accept that some people simply cannot take care of themselves refused to allow involuntary commitment and state hospitals to exist any longer. They would still fight these measures tooth and nail, but their efforts must be defeated because the alternative--what we are seeing now--is SO much worse, not only for the homeless but for everyone. So stop telling lies. You aren't helping anybody with that. Many of these chronically homeless people are a danger to themselves and/or others. They need the government to rebuild our national mental healthcare system. They need state-funded rehab facilities to which addicted vagrants can be both voluntarily and involuntarily committed, to help save their lives and give them a chance to find work and reestablish themselves in society. At that point they then need subsidized housing where they can be semi-independent, or a permanent facility where they can reside and be cared for whether they like it or not. Infinitely enabling their dysfunction by blaming the economy or housing costs for their state, is not good, and it is not real help. I know this for a fact because I am old enough to remember a time when affordable housing--even in more expensive cities and urban areas, and even during less stable or prosperous economic periods--was plentiful. The main difference between then and now was not rent. It was the fact that hopeless addicts and mentally ill citizens were given treatment options and space in special housing, care homes and hospitals. Nowadays we just throw them on the streets. This cannot continue.

[@maryfrancesbeckerhaggerty5353]

​​@@erockromulan9329 I'm from Philly. Moved out ten years ago. I had to go back down there six months ago when my daughter died. A result of drugs. It's the same story in Philly all over and in most of our big cities. Drugs are everywhere, tents, trash. Sad.

[@DrummingTmate]

Good job illustrating how it is. Thank you.

[@johnnybravo5964]

You get what you vote for unfortunately. Politicians on both sides get rich, meanwhile the middle class is being destroyed by taxes and an inability to pay bills. The politicians act like they are royalty or celebrity instead of public servants.

[@debbiblakeslee]

It's disgusting what our government has don't to the middle class. Take everything leave us out in the cold 🤨🤨😡😡 nobody can afford to live ..... NOBODY !!!!!!! ITS SAD

[@tmusa2002]

Do some research on the middle class. It has shrunk by 10% since the 70s, why? Because 6% moved to a higher class and 4% moved down to working class. There is more good news than bad, happy to say.

[@itsmelili326]

Unfortunately, with all of the programs, city, county and government funding, along with hotels being purchased, many choose to continue doing drugs instead of accepting the help. I'm not saying everyone, but here in WA, majority are on drugs. Mostly fentanyl and meth. Needles and trash cost our cities millions and millions just for cleanup. Seattle is only a small portion of this. It's all over WA state. The crime is also abundant in these situations. They do say they want to take the housing, but they don't stay because of the rules. *Edit don't come for me, I've watched this for many years. There's 5 huge camps w rvs within 6 miles of my home. I've personally seen the devastating effects on our rivers and county roads. I've known people in this situation. I'm not saying this for no reason.

[@LilyGazou]

Agreed. Crime is crazy too.

[@bobdowns6973]

There comes a time when people in mass just have to leave a place like that and never return!😕 It's not gonna get better! America should not be like this ☹️

[@toddwilliams9552]

I feel for the homeless I've been there but the mess that is in and around there living quarters is rediculous and makes our streets look dumpy if it was clean and organized It would be different just clean your area that's all

[@Klp0414]

Maybe if it was cleaner, and not trashy, they wouldn't want to "sweep". You can still be clean living in a vehicle.

[@khope2580]

We dont want or need that crap in our clean, safe, neighborhoods!!!!

[@rd6006]

I live in my vehicle too, however I've never lived like some of these people... debris & garbage all over... You can go into restaurants & clean up in or your vehicles... It wouldn't be so bad if they took care of their surroundings! 😘🙏🏻❤️🙋‍♂️🕊

[@hockeyvoice49]

You just hit the nail on the head. I'm a lot less likely to offer help and respect to those living in vehicles when they won't respect the area/surroundings where they're parking. I live close to the edge of downtown Reno and there are constantly cars/RVs leaving piles of debris around our neighborhood. I feel for those with less but not if there's no regard for the rest of us too.

[@suen5006]

Restaurants? Do you think restaurants will let them in? No they won't. And trash? They don't have trash service. It's great you have it together, congratulations.

[@suen5006]

@@hockeyvoice49 They don't have trash service. Why don't you offer to take theirs?

[@rd6006]

@@suen5006 there's trash cans everywhere!! Even if there weren't you mean you can't even put it in a bag?? Why wouldn't a restaurant let them in? There are literally thousands of McDonald's, Bks, Wendy's, etc! Where there's a way there's a will!!

[@richsweeney1115]

@@suen5006 so they just getting leave it whereever they want? Are kidding?? People can walk their trash to a local dumpster or trash can...and there are plenty of Fallston places they can go in

[@ericamarie6681]

That sweet 19 year old kid, Lux, my goodness. I wish there was something I could do. This hurts my heart so much, it’s so awful and sad.

[@Kristine14]

Maybe she has social media, where you may contact her, to see how you may assist her. Maybe she has a PayPal or Zelle account etc.

[@CCBobo-uc3im]

Would it be sweet if they where a 49 year old male?

[@MegKampen]

@@Kristine14 Someone needs to assist her in cleaning up that place. It's dirty and trashed. I live in my travel trailer but I keep it clean and organized.

[@Dobermanmom01]

​@@MegKampen I was thinking the EXACT same thing. She could ALSO maybe go get a JOB??!!

[@MegKampen]

@@Dobermanmom01 That is true! She has a place to live.I about got sick when I saw all those cigarette butts all over the floor and her feeding the cat on the counter top out of a can and onto a piece of paper.

[@sc00b3rt]

After visiting Seattle it doesn't surprise me that there are so many homeless there. The prices of basic needs are astronomical.

[@mikkert-zh2cf]

Rich people's wealth is based on suffering of others.

[@jennxX68]

Not all rich people. There are a good amount of rich people who started out dirt poor and they worked their tails off, used the brains God gave them and made it to the top. It’s absolutely insane to think that the rich caused this problem in Seattle. To figure that out you have to start at the bottom (the reasons these folks are homeless) and work your way up the chain (city officials).

[@arthurfoyt6727]

Or, if you chose a minimalist lifestyle (pay no city, county, state or federal taxes) then you are at the behest of those that do.

[@sjordan7085]

Not always, some rich folk worked very hard all their lives and made good financial decisions.

[@JK360noscope]

Well actually it's based on nothing!

[@lookinforthelightful]

@@arthurfoyt6727minimalist lifestyle is always the best. As Much as possible always divert from paying taxes. Your only feeding a corrupt system somewhere down the line anyways. City officials only serve the elite in the promise of wages and dictating of slavery. So kiss my ass government I don’t serve you….

[@erockromulan9329]

If affordable housing is the problem then being in downtown Seattle is one of the worst places to try and attain that goal.

[@InvisiblePeople]

Every city in America has an affordable housing crisis

[@erockromulan9329]

@@InvisiblePeople Under that logic home prices would be the same in every city, but they aren't. Its more affordable to live outside the city and away from downtown areas - we all know that. People are flocking to the streets of downtown Seattle for a reason, and affordable housing isn't it.

[@lowespringacres7838]

This is absolutely disgusting that we let humans go through this! I'm ashamed

[@yannitoob7525]

Go fix it

[@broccolirob5085]

People have choices.

[@xiondFirst]

Utopia is false so different people get pushed around in life. Some make it big and others end up in the streets. Life is unfair but unfortunately nobody can make it fair. It has ups and downs and some people can't handle it due to mental health and disability.

[@justinhunt4767]

Fax but they got money for war

[@lowespringacres7838]

@@yannitoob7525 I absolutely do everything I'm able to do in my area!

[@curtiscf1986]

If you are living in this situation…..Don’t draw attention to yourself. Don’t acquire anything. Don’t buy anything. Throw your trash away and keep your vehicle/vessel tidy. Save your money. Keep your stuff from looking junky, and people will be much more likely to leave you alone.

[@michaelday1700]

Instead of giving money and resources to other countries we need to take care of the homeless.

[@luctuosaluctuosa5360]

I agree, but these homeless wouldn't get these money anyway. I believe this war was preplanned behind the curtains and in Ukraine hundreds thousands of young men are killed on the battle field.

[@annepoitrineau5650]

people who live in houses also live in areas where trash collection is organised. We put the bins out, we take them back in. I suspect things would look cleaner if the same type of trash collection was organised for RV dwellers, gypsy camps etc. Some might say "They don't pay taxes". They do. 1-Nobody under a certain income pays income tax, even if they live in houses 2-Every little thing they buy has VAT. And even if that was the case...we might want to still collect the garbage out of kindness and because vermine does not keep itself to certain areas, so if we make sure that every part of town is clean, then we keep everything safe from infection and illness.

[@christinamann3640]

Good points 👍

[@kevingarris198]

As a "civilized society", we must agree upon a minimum threshold for human quality of life. Hint: this isn't it!

[@geovanniinusa5973]

I live in my RV and don't consider myself homeless. I am not waiting on a section 8 voucher to come through. I work full time and pay for an RV park. I consider myself part of 'civilized society'.

[@kevingarris198]

@@geovanniinusa5973 Perfectly fine, when it is the product of conscious choice; however its something altogether different when dictated by necessity.

[@WorldOfWonder66]

Thank you so much for doing this video. So many times we just see hate towards the homeless. They are people too with real feelings

[@LilithGrey...FromHell]

I live in an rv and move it frequently and avoid parking near others who also live in their vehicles. One of the biggest issues I've had to deal with was the mess (piles of garbage) others leave behind when they park at a spot for weeks (sometimes months) at a time. Getting lumped in with those who are disrespectful to the environment or over stay their welcome is really difficult especially when it leads to me being discriminated against for things I have never personally done. I refuse to park near others even though it does seem safer, it adds an extra element of stress with the city and its residents. I just wish people would be kind and mind their own business, but that won't happen anytime soon. But if you're in this type of situation, always try to video record any interactions and save them of you feel like youre being discriminated against.

[@dalepxp8963]

You seem to be too young to be living in a vehicle. There is nothing you can rent? Have you thought about joining the military? Learning a trade?

[@sbazi78]

This is absolutely unacceptable to be happening in this country!!! UNACCEPTABLE!!;!!

[@tammiroy0]

I can't put into words how much Somerset touch my heart how awful and what they have to go through everyday but thanks to people like you helps them when you don't even have to you do it as a kindness of your hearts and my heart goes out to them people don't understand try to walk a mile in somebody else's shoes

[@annanirathsi1111]

This video really inspires me to DO more. Your channel is really the best at giving the homeless a voice.

[@Denisejohn65NailEd]

I’m so sad to see this . What is wrong with our country that these people can’t get housing ? This is heart breaking .

[@davelowets]

It's simple... These people don't want to work.

[@goclunker]

@@davelowets or maybe, just maybe housing costs are out of control

[@davelowets]

@@goclunker Yea, they're high, so pay it. 🤦🏻

[@gregkareem9824]

​@@davelowetsbut they aren't working hard enough 🤓