The Hidden Homelessness Crisis In California (HBO)

There is a shortage of affordable housing in every state in the country, but it's especially bad in California - where there's only one affordable housing unit for every five extremely low income households.
The gap is not only pushing more and more people out onto the streets-it's also creating a new, fast-growing, and hidden class of homelessness: People who in the past would have been able to afford a room or apartment but now live in their cars by necessity.
Danielle Williams is one of them. She’s a single working mother who has been living in her van with her daughter for five years. At first, it meant sleeping in dark, scarcely populated areas, and being hassled by the police. But thanks to a program called Safe Parking - a network of parking lots equipped with porta-potties and lot monitors - she can now stay in her car overnight without worrying about her safety.
VICE News traveled to California to see how the new program is helping people like Danielle live a little more comfortably, and met with a government official who’s frustrated there aren’t longer term solutions to help the roughly 16,000 people in Los Angeles who now sleep in their cars.
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[@VICENews]

People who in the past would have been able to afford a room or apartment but now live in their cars by necessity. Watch Next: Driving For Uber, Sleeping In Her Car - bit.ly/2x1ayE4

[@sportsfiend9752]

Why live there ?? If you can't afford it

[@a.i.ksolna5126]

Vice! I think you should Come tog sweden. Make a documentary about The swedish homelessness , addicts and The asylum People that our country takes in. There are getting worst here. Sweden- Stockholm

[@michaelmccarthy4615]

Why live there? Usually lots of service type jobs attract people that in turn cant live anywhere near the job... it's kinda of economics balancing game... remember, in silicon valley theres high paid workers, and they can't afford the bay area either.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

In Miami people can rent efficencies for 550 a month, and even day laborers are able to rent them and at least have a place to stay. These efficiencies include power and water so all they have to do is pay the 550 a month to the home owner. (Miami is full of efficiencies, these are rooms converted to illegal rental apartments) The county turns a blind eye to it because they dont want to have the same shit that happens in California.

[@SLODEE86]

Hmmm. Two phones, dogs , $900 in eat out. Looks like someone making poor financial choices. How about one phone, zero dogs, camping stove and/or hot plate. Also could go to an older vehicle for a smaller monthly payment . Look at that mlb pitcher that was living in an old vw van

[@Markkronn]

I've lived in my car for 9months and it was hard...didn't let friends, family or coworkers know..but I had to do it so that my kids and their mom could have a place to live and money to get by..hardest part was finding places for shower and balancing each night between staying in a quiet dark place to be unseen...but at risk of crime or staying in a well lit busy area but then probably being harassed by cops..finally made it out..but my heart goes out to anyone who has to do this and then pretend to live a normal life

[@mariaserra8092]

Went through the same thing as a child with my mother and siblings in our Ford Expedition...waking up tired and aching from trying to sleep sitting up early early in the morning before the park goers or joggers got up still dark and cold out to take a shower in the park bathroom with ice cold water then get dressed brush teeth before me and my sister were dropped off at our elementary school...we'd always go to the park or parked in a dark spot by the park when it was time to sleep...mom falling asleep to her little antenna radio...cover all the windows up so noone could look in...that was years ago but I remember it like it was yesterday💭...had to make do with the hand I was dealt..it wasn't easy..but I thank god for helping me see that light at the end of that long dark tunnel and ending up in a better place than where I started...❤️‍🩹🙏🏻🎭✝️

[@chuachua-hj9zd]

Go to the gym to bath

[@misguidedyouth9331]

How you gonna spend 225 on a phone bill but still need wifi? I pay 50 bucks a month and get unlimited everything

[@misguidedyouth9331]

@@stephe4721 bruh.........................................

[@lindaosbun7034]

why dont that woman just camp in a KFC parking lot or a all u can eat restaurant side note dont let anybody manage your money that has less than u do

[@trinity6401]

NANI?! I pay 100$ a month for my phone bill....

[@yunokenzo3100]

I pay only 30 Ringgit equal to 7.16 for unlimited internet... Btw im from malaysia

[@w00borg34]

Wtf what carriers do y’all have

[@BeverlyTalley]

we need big money/companies to not be able to buy single-family homes. Honestly, there should be regulation over this, its just disgusting. Most times it amazes me greatly how I moved from an average lifestyle to earning over $63k per month, Utter shock is the word. I have understood a lot in the past few years that there are lots of opportunities in the financial market. The only thing is to know where to invest.

[@bjoe631]

I keep wondering how people earn money in financial markets, i tried trading bitcoin on my own made a huge loss and now I'm scared of investing more.

[@BeverlyTalley]

@@bjoe631 That won't bother you if you trade with a professional like *Mr Gary Mason Brooks* my coach, you may have come across him on interviews relating to bitcoin and stocks. He trades, manage trading account and offer mentorship program for clients who wish to become professional investors.

[@bjoe631]

@@BeverlyTalley You allow people to trade for you? that's interesting, I would love to learn, hope it’s safe?

[@zombie15ish]

@thirtyonesolid Well this not my first time of seeing this name on social platform. A CNBC news host spoke highly of this man and his trading strategies. Do you know him ? if yes , did you invest with him?

[@BeverlyTalley]

@@bjoe631 It's 100% safe and legal, He’s an expert trader on stocks and bitcoin. I basically do nothing but collect profits, he was able to get me in early on most of these stocks and I exited just at the right time, his analysis was really on point..

[@dikaitang5238]

How I live a $1500 in California: A room in a shared house 800$, a cheap crap car with insurance $100, prepaid ATT 8G $30, food from grocery $500, I ate steaks and organic vege everyday.

[@dorissungirl]

Does switching to prepaid cellphone means you can't keep your old phone number?

[@jackieliu1232]

@@dorissungirl you can keep your old number, I switch phone plans every year or two to take advantages from different companies each time porting my own phone number, I currently pay $15 a month on mint for 3g data, unlimited talk and text. When I switched to mint I got 3 month free, saved me $45, it was their Black Friday deal last November r

[@flashpromo15]

How much were you making monthly though?

[@rainrunerkillpopkill3424]

@@jackieliu1232 its 4gb now for mint mobile honestly mint mobile is the best cellular company PERIOD !

[@saynotohookups]

Even $800 in rent is too much for me with what I was making when I was getting regular hours at my job.

[@jesssandoval1912]

$225 for 2 phones.... boost has plans for $40 a month.. come on 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@Seattletiger614]

you are so right..

[@usairforce89]

I agree with you. I pay $114 for 4 phones. I don’t understand how some people don’t want to find better solutions in some cases if you need to save money.

[@1strights]

And $900 a month for food? Nonsense. She doesn't have to eat at restaurants and she can get wifi at the library or get a hotspot. She can afford rent somewhere.

[@Whitewolf33344]

@Da Royal General cricket sucks shit lol..i have metro pcs..i pay 86dls for family plan for me n my son we get unlimited everything love it.

[@JK20239]

You can get a family plan 5 lines for 225....t mobile .

[@zokotuckikazu3239]

California is insanely expensive. I was homeless for 2 years when I got out of the Army. I worked at Google for a while and some of the Google employees would sleep in vans and mobile homes in order to save money up for a house or to pay off debts. Paying rent is basically like flushing money down a toilet. It doesn’t make sense. If you’re homeless or ever have been, my heart goes out to you. I know how you feel.

[@theproductreviewer9661]

You still in cali?

[@zokotuckikazu3239]

The Product Reviewer , yes I am. My family has mostly moved down South to Georgia. Southern states are a bit cheaper. The jobs pay well out on the west coast. But I plan on moving to Texas when my time to retire comes. Where are you located?

[@zokotuckikazu3239]

Elyse George There’s no work in Nevada unless you want to work in the Casino industry. Hell I hear prostitution is legal in some Nevada counties. Maybe I could become a pimp. Anyways, home is home and sometimes it gets expensive and you try to hold out and make things work for you. It wasn’t always expensive. Back in 2010 I had an apartment for 900 a month. Now it’s more than twice that for an apartment.

[@latinsizer]

It depends where you move in cali. I have family in littlerock california right next to palmdale and they pay $700 for rent for a 2 bed house.

[@memous13]

Don’t need to spend 370 on a car lease. You can save money and get a car for 1,000 dollars. Do you really need to have a bill of 225? All you need it’s a basic phone not a smart phone. 117 for storage? 900 on food? You can buy groceries and cook yourself rice and chicken it’s not expensive. All she needs it’s to manage her family better and dogs, if your struggle as a homeless do you really need to have dogs....wow

[@sprinkles512]

Back when I was a kid I remember people looking down on those who lived in hotel rooms. Cant believe its now this bad.

[@bobabooey4537]

People still look down on people who live in motels (rarely a hotel). I dont look down on them.... i have empathy, but ya... people still look down on it and judge.

[@emziegirl1977]

I feel sorry for her daughter, she gets to sleep in the front seat when the mother is lying in a "bed". I also feel sorry for the dogs / dog, it just shook when she would take it out, I wonder if it really gets the exercise and care that a dog needs, it should not have to live in a cage.

[@jheric0ol]

the truth is, both her daughter and the dogs should've been taken away from her

[@emziegirl1977]

@@jheric0ol true 👍

[@ratherbfishing455]

America takes care of illegals. Very sad! I would never give my dogs away!

[@fkcuuu8362]

She reminds me exactly of my mom. It’s honestly depressing knowing how badly she ruined my life

[@VIDEOCLIPS53]

@@ratherbfishing455 you are a joke

[@ss4Vegeta95691]

When I was homeless and lived in my car I switched to prepaid T-Mobile and I budgeted heavily on food and had planet fitness membership as well as went to a center for homeless to use for free foods showers laundry restroom and i went to food closets as well as turned to emergency shelters in winter and used public restrooms in hospitals (open 24hrs) and got Job with temp agency making $14/hr full time and $19/hr overtime and factory work has lots overtime so I always took it and eventually shifted to hotels as well as saved money and eventually found place to stay

[@nihilisticbarbie]

Congrats! Glad you were able to work hard and find a place of your own

[@niquinavarrete1415]

wow you are so awesome

[@ss4Vegeta95691]

Well it was all thanks to support from a local NPO as well as a winter sanctuary and other people who genuinely care that I was able to find work and hold down a steady job and even got a place to stay and I almost gave up a few times while homeless and was starting to lose hope but at that moment when I was about to succumb to my feelings of depression is when everything started to turn around it was like in that moment the universe said hey I got you and then here I am From April to now I been living with roommates as a house leader or rather a manager for the NPO and able to survive. The journey is hard and the struggle is very real my best advice to others don’t lose hope don’t give in to the negativity and no matter how long it takes good things come to those who wait as patience is a virtue. Being homeless in my hometown of Sacramento was rough and I overcame it but more than ever I kept going and kept my mind on one goal

[@DIVISIONINCISION]

@@ss4Vegeta95691 Your next goal should be to buy a house in Fair Oaks. If you can do that, you can do anything, baby Huffman!

[@gypseenomad3956]

I'm happy for you!👍

[@InnaTeo]

I worked for Delta as a supervisor, and was homeless in my car--- secretly slept in my car for a while in their parking lot... it happens... it can happen to any of us! praying for a great outcome for everyone out there

[@kitteekittee4010]

So scary :( sorry you went through that

[@InnaTeo]

@@kitteekittee4010 xoxoox it ws Def an eye opener for sure xo

[@86faST13]

Did you sleep in your car to save money or bcuz you couldnt afford a place?

[@shambrinalove2186]

Yes this comment 💯...people think a person on drugs or an acholic if they are homeless not true! I worked my ass off on 2 jobs to catch up my rent to keep from being homeless!!

[@InnaTeo]

@@86faST13 hi! I couldn't afford a place to be honest...when I did standby for a seat to travel... Sometimes I was in first class.. Broke... And would take a flight just to eat the meal lol. Since Delta does standby for their employees. Anywjo.. It was a great experience and I'm happy I went through it. Opens up my eyes about a lot of things

[@Justagirl325]

I wish the interviewer would have asked her why she doesn’t move to another city other places 2k a month would be more than enough

[@golfgirl0214]

Bless her for trying to make a stable place for her daughter and two dogs. Who are we to say what she pays for with her limited funds. She’s working, her daughter is going to school. Take care.

[@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484]

They are gluttons with poor money management

[@nickc3657]

So many people who think they know what’s best for these women. Mind ya business, this could be any of us in a heartbeat.

[@noeytindol5529]

Most of the people judging don't have anything going for them either.

[@bailmasterflex]

John Hey, he made a public post. no replies Mind your business.

[@InteractiveIdea]

@@noeytindol5529 what made you assume that?

[@pastelwaves2344]

John why are you so full of hate?

[@bailmasterflex]

Noey Tindol Did you just judge the people judging??

[@mrc6032]

The right decision is to put school off, work two jobs, and move outta California. Then pursue school.

[@trinity6401]

I mean if they spent two years trying to work they just delay their education. Either go to school for two years while struggling and then finding a good job or finding work for 2 years then go to school (+2 yrs)....so I think it’s best to continue school

[@ksd12345100]

Yeah I’m with mr c she needs to work and get out of LA and find a state that has cheap housing, that’s her only hope.

[@solargooseful]

Why would you even stay in California?

[@2Bonita08]

I have two degrees and ended up disabled anyway. The solution is not that simple.

[@rrpostalagain]

I came to say the same thing. They just aren’t making decisions very well. If she is making $2k net, that puts her well above a lot of people in the country. How are they washing? I could live in a car, if it had a shower and shitter. The real problem is that wages haven’t kept up with inflation, or even come close. The disparity between haves and have nots is growing exponentially. It’s not sustainable without some serious upheaval.

[@jeremiahs585]

Damn. That's so sad. I feel their pain cuz I'm in the same boat with my cats. I work for a bank and even the wages on a single income is next to abysmal even making it to the next check. You slowly get used to living "within your means" but man. There's no love or assistance out there. Any you might be able to get can be lackluster too.

[@MartinX192]

I did it for 8 months. The first couple of months are a living hell but once you figure it out its simple. Liberating actually NO ONE will help you especially now as the social programs are overwhelmed with illegals

[@dianatamayo5089]

Stay strong - universe will return gratitude with your cats

[@beatrix7390]

Libraries have free wifi! She should have also been able to use the wifi at her school too since she's a student.

[@carissamitchell8071]

so true

[@mauricemotoman3305]

Indeed and they should eat cheap things

[@hermanmunster714]

sure thing.

[@timothytice3074]

If you have a car your not homeless your well on your way broke is not a joke

[@soysauce3660]

Poor dog. It’s locked up in that tiny cage the entire day everyday.

[@maryjanegreen7601]

2 dogs

[@hellobot67]

How do you know it's all damn day....

[@soysauce3660]

Maxine McFarlane The dog doesn’t enjoy its life there in that cage and in a very hot van. It’s common sense don’t be dumb. Probably the only time it gets to go out is when the owner walks them out to go potty. But for many hours it’s just there sitting in that cage. Instead of playing and running around. Don’t try to argue here you can see the truth in the vid. The owner is busy doing other things. Period........

[@caffeinefree667]

Soy Sauce But really how do you know it’s kept in a cage all day she wouldn’t let a dog shit in her car and still gust keep it there also in the video we saw her take the dog out of the cage with a leash so please think before you act

[@JohnDoe69986]

Sage They don’t allow dogs inside colleges or public schools unless it’s a service animal. Dog day care would just waste more money. She doesn’t have a house nor fence, so the dog would spend the entire working day in the cage(she’s not going to let the dog run around and pee/poop where they sleep). I highly doubt she leaves her car running 24/7, that means no AC in a state that gets very hot during the summer. It’s animal abuse because she doesn’t have the funds to take care of a dog yet she loves the dog so much she can’t find a proper owner.

[@katieadams5860]

Leasing a car for $370 a month and $225 for 2 phones, she isn't doing a good job budgeting

[@Kakerate2]

On the car payment, not really lol

[@katieadams5860]

@@Kakerate2 I financed a used car for only $10k, and pay $185/month for 4 years, she could've bought a used mini van, no need to go out and lease a new car

[@fractalzoomgoggles]

No wonder she lost her accounting job

[@dominioniwo5060]

@@fractalzoomgoggles XDDDDDDDDDD

[@joeblow8750]

1500 would have bought a reliable van

[@maenad1231]

I’m not missing the point but I feel the need to point she absolutely does NOT need to spend $900 on food every month 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@kaylakashtiban8340]

Not only is the price of food in California at grocery stores and restaurants really hight right now but when you dont have a fridge or a kitchen you can not prepare your meals at "home". This makes one more reliant on eating out. Also shes feeding her and her daughter.

[@xavierbreath2227]

Agreed. Ridiculous. Canned goods keep. Peanut butter sandwiches are cheap and full of calories. You could buy a small butane stove to warm food. I am not saying they should never eat out, but come on.

[@southerngirl2672]

Maybe her daughter could get a part-time job to help out. But 900.00 is an awful lot of money for food a month.

[@maenad1231]

@@southerngirl2672 Sometimes it can be rather hard to get even a part-time job if the employer knows the person doesn’t have a living residence. It depends on area/region & employer which is why a lot of homeless people tend to rely on odd-jobs & freelance gigs rather than a stable employer. Regardless, the average monthly food cost per month for *two* Californians is around $466-$532. Which is ≈$15.5 to ≈$17.75 a day I understand that not having a kitchen makes only spending as much as the average person an implausibility. I don’t expect the two of them to be surviving on only $16 worth of food per day. But simply committing to limit themselves to spending ‘only’ $25 per day on food for the both of them would still spare them $150 every month because $25 ✖︎ 30 days = $750. This would definitely be doable in California if they focus on buying inexpensive RTE foods & generic ingredients for simple meals that can easily be prepared in their car with cheap equipment. If they’re close enough to dollar/discount stores, Walmart or other grocery stores that are good for low-income individuals then they could even afford 3 restaurant meals for *each* of them every single week on a budget of $25 per day/$750 per month. If they ditched fast-casual and other sit-down restaurants entirely for the value menus of cheap fast food restaurants then they could have restaurant meals much more frequently in the week since those kinds meals are notably cheaper. I think they’re overestimating how much food/nutrition or satiation they actually require to maintain healthfullness. Also; taking advantage of where they can get free water _(places where you can fill up water bottles for free)_ and free food _(food pantries for unprepared food & soup kitchens + local organizations for cooked meals)_ would also ease things and make it so they have a fair amount of that $750 budget left over at the end of the month.

[@southerngirl2672]

@@maenad1231 yes I do understand what you are speaking of. I guess I was not thinking it being California where the cost of living is so expensive. I live in Louisiana and things are just a tiny bit better. So yes I get it. Thanks for the info.

[@christinar.9116]

This story is really sad. I feel bad for the daughter who has to suffer because her mom doesn’t know how to manage her money properly 😕

[@socommaster]

Her daughter is 18 years old, she could be working too

[@nameofaname8755]

you are so rude

[@rohanb7303]

Why not encourage the lady instead of judging her.

[@halo24407]

@@nameofaname8755 lol face the fact. She deffo doesn't know how to spend the money wisely lol

[@toomuchtrashpodcast7412]

@Ryan Alex lol 😆

[@adamsmith91]

She is an accountant and she can't see the glaring flaws in her spending.

[@dogie1070]

LOL. My ex-husband married a gold digger accountant and he became husband #5. She spends money on mansions and cabins by the lake...amazing how accountants can manage other people's money!

[@LINKFORCE2011]

only proves just how fake her cert are. their staff will do their job for them, while they take credit. until they get busted and get fired

[@mikeparker6322]

$225 for phones? Two lines with a lot of data and unlimited talk/text should be about $100. Also, the food budget could be reduced.

[@redriveral2764]

I spent 30 a month for service. She could too. Dial it down.

[@insaintbear5329]

@@mikeparker6322 We don't know how expensive it is eating out in southern California.

[@BeyondChange]

$900 on Food a Month! Madness!

[@antonhill4001]

they have to be the richest homeless people i've ever seen!

[@NextLevelEntertainment]

The size is self explanatory. She has not woken up from the flaws in her "Accounting". Crazy spending.

[@Harloha]

She definitely looks well fed.

[@jesusguzman9019]

On fast food that must be nasty asf to eat the same thing almost everyday

[@MarioGarcia-lw5ss]

My brother spends in food $840 a month he don’t cook at all he only eats out I told him he is out of his ass smh 🤦‍♂️ that’s crazy I spend $200 a month in groceries way less than $840

[@R-L-I]

I love dogs too but if I’m homeless you have to give them up until your situation stabilizes I’m sorry.

[@noahhenderson3164]

I disagree. But if they're in their cages all day?? Absolutely

[@Its_Just_Me_28]

You don’t know what you would do if you were in her situation but maybe one day life will give you a chance to find out.

[@ashleybosvik3031]

There is no way I would spend 900 on food, go to food banks, churches etc. Save your money for a travel trailer or some kind of roof.

[@laurenmarco6162]

She could Google "food banks near (her location)" when she uses wifi.

[@1996connor]

900 dollars a month on food god damn surely there's cheaper alternatives

[@nokeechia]

I think that not being able to cook means they have to constantly eat out.... that does get expensive....

[@JewTube001]

a diet wouldn't hurt her either

[@ishanbansal3560]

They eat out at restraunts which is costly cheap means more fast food means more fat and obesity and medical bill

[@TriniLush7]

JewTube typical

[@worIdCHAMP]

$15 a day. try it.

[@Krissilips]

Leave California. There are plenty of places in the US where you can make it with $2000 a month.

[@r.d.9399]

Never name them. If you do hordes of desperate people will come knocking.

[@alksjda]

ive been all the states. best states are california, washington, NY, colorado, oregon idaho and florida.

[@yellowbird5411]

I live in Florida. I have rentals. One is an efficiency at $520 a month, including everything but cable. There also is a one bedroom studio at $560 including everything but cable. A two bedroom house at $650, but they pay all utilities and for the back studio too. I am in St. Petersburg, Florida, where mobile homes are all over the place, apartments can be found cheaply, and there are no food taxes.

[@mondoraj]

@@yellowbird5411 What do jobs pay? What's the unemployment rate? How big are these places. Square footage. Asking for a friend. I live in an area where housing costs are high even for small spaces. So my pay, isn't really good for this area. However I don't think I would make the same pay if I moved south, which is what happened to my sister. She made about $30k less in the south. Do they have any working homeless in Fl?

[@CaptainSpalding72]

Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Colorado, @- -

[@veredcohen9079]

Just the idea of thinking how my boss knew my situation sleeping in my car like this lady and he played with my salary and missed hours it’s crazy.. he’s a millionaire. A Jewish orthodox millionaire who owns tons of properties in Los Angeles.. idk what people’s hearts made out of? I hope things will work out for her and I know how hard is to be homeless and still go to work every day. I’m proud of her 👍

[@Westcoast10]

Kanye was right

[@valaquenta220]

Well your boss is certainly a bastard, but him being a jewish orthodox doesn't have much to do with it: assholes are everywhere, and him being orthodox doesn't mean he's necessarily going to be a kinder human being than your usual guy, let's be honest.

[@Xennox2]

Lease a car.. $200 Phone bill EAT OUT?? OWNS A DOG!! Cmon...

[@mustasheolll2020]

She does need to work on budgeting, that’s a major part of it

[@natsukikr9441]

They should change their lifestyle. They're homeless and still spends beyond their means.

[@ljubastajic4372]

i'm not sure it's their fault.

[@cannonballbriefs9992]

Seriously. We spend 600 a month on groceries for 2 adults and 4 children. We dont live in a fancy house but our trailer is 400 a month. You can get a cheap phone and you dont need TV.

[@rynolascavio3381]

@@ljubastajic4372 You are going to be in the booth right next to them eventually. smh.

[@dontworryaboutme1488]

Eddie Sloan , even then the mom her self said they mostly only eat out they have a lack of discipline for spending 🤦🏻‍♂️ & thats from someone whos only 18

[@elanderson7226]

Ashley Overcash four kids and no tv, maybe u should try living in a parking lot for awhile , just see what it is like u big. Mounts bithch

[@dsanti4069]

Her food budget alone is the cost of my rent

[@HENCHMARV]

My rent costs less than that in London for one room. She does not know how to budget , cut costs and make the most of her money.

[@enrique123eo]

@@HENCHMARV and shes an accountant lol

[@goclunker]

HanchoPOW your rent is is $900 ? Where? Coachella or the salton sea? 😂😂😂😂

[@princessandrez]

Mine too. Lol 😂

[@morgangrey4020]

her food budget is what i spend for 4 months of food for me and my 2 cats.

[@kilroywashere9343]

This isn’t really homelessness this is living in your car by choice, she could very change to a less expensive lifestyle and get into a cheap apartment (probably not in California though)

[@wheelie642]

WHY IS SLEEPING IN YOUR CAR ILLEGAL! MAKES NO SENSE!

[@baassbooster]

I was also a homeless back in 2005. I also worked as a Cab Driver. I also couldn`t meet months end,that`s why i was on street for ONLY 5 months, but let me tell you it was horrible. No money to save up for rent,no vehicle to sleep in. I`m 192 cm (6 feet 3 Inch) in height,and back then i had 130 Kg. In those 5 months i lost 30 kg of weight,that`s almost 62 Lbs. Thank god in October of 2005 i found a Room in a large house in which Toilet,Bathroom , kitchen are shared, but i was lucky there were no Alcoholics,junkies and so on . Now i wonder,do you in USA have these kind of housings where individuals have there rooms but share other commodities in a house or a flat??

[@carissamitchell8071]

sometimes. not really

[@purberri]

Poor money management and decisions get one phone, use camping gas heaters to cook food. Move out of Santa Barbara, there are cheaper places to live.

[@trinity6401]

Imagine ur mom taking away ur phone

[@juliawu8710]

You can get cheap smartphones,that work fine, I know my supermarket sells cheap smartphones (LG) for like $50, then just get a prepaid yearly plan, I’m only have to pay $160 aud ($97 usd) once every year, when I was studying I used free wifi from the library or free shopping Center wifi, can’t imagine having to

[@wilsonator2008]

I got an iPhone for £450 with money I saved up from my wages like 2 years ago and now I pay £15 a month on data, calls and texts and use my WiFi at home where I can. Paying for a comparable phone contract over the same time scale, I’d have spent like £45-£50 a month for the same phone and allowances so I’ve saved anywhere between about £250-£400 overall by buying the phone outright and putting £15 of credit on a month.

[@TheRealWorldNews247]

And the biggest one keep you’re legs closed

[@javiercuesta2433]

@@trinity6401 There are companies with family plans that are as low as $50 a line with unlimited calls, messages and internet.

[@johnnybegoode2374]

Step one. the dogs got to go, find a good home for the dogs, that's an unnecessary mouth to feed and expenses also much more challenging to rent a space with animals step two. get better phone plans even if that means going old school and buying flip phones. step three. curb the restaurant spending, buying simple groceries can curb this drastically invest in a small coleman stove and a foreman grill, eat vegetables and fruits, make salads it would be at least 2/3rds cheaper to buy groceries than to eat out. Wifi can be found just about anywhere; most libraries have it, also good places to study. step four. sock the savings away put it towards a down payment on an apartment, look for roommates or others in a similar situations to further reduce cost of living; lots of students go this route. I get it being broke sucks lived poor myself, the only way that you can really get out of it is realize you can not maintain the same lifestyle you had when wealthier, sacrifice luxuries, and be thrifty. When I lost my job I had to settle for one that had a significantly lower pay, to compensate I did the following - Public transit, save on gas, save on insurance, save on maintenance cost. Actually started cycling too, I often still do it made me very fit and also was a good form of free recreation. -make my own lunches brew my own coffee ( actually still do the savings are fucking crazy) 2 dollars going to coffee shop minimum over 30 days 60 dollars minimum that's if I did not buy a pastry, brew at home less than 50 cents a cup. same with lunch, what I would spend for a store bought sandwich could buy me the ingredients to make 3-4 of those meals myself. - bought everything budget rather than premium it is actually not that bad a lot of people pay unnecessarily for branding, the no name coffee as good as folgers, store brand bread is just as good as wonder. - Found local free sources of entertainment. - bought second hand. - learned to fix and maintain my own stuff. I am not saying it was easy, but it did make up the difference in wage loss I had a roof over my head, a full belly, and ability to save money for bigger and better things, life is not easy sometimes we have to adapt our expectations to the situation we find ourselves, bigger and better things can come your way if you simply learn to adapt and being pragmatic about the situation your in. School is a good start I hope this person has taken a useful course you need more than school to be employable. Take the time to focus on self improvement, improve your health getting sick while poor is the worst eat better and exercise, improve your education maybe you cant go to the movies but you can read a book, develop yourself. It actually reflects in the overall demeanor people pick up on it and are by far more willing to lend a hand recommend you to their boss help you network your way to a job.

[@kritikasampleone7457]

She should read this.. although i may not agree with the dogs in case she does really do this list

[@smithy5270]

Yeah dogs are fam through thick and thin

[@johnnybegoode2374]

@@smithy5270 I would not subject my dogs to living in a crate inside of a van for an extended period of time. It would be far more loving for the animals to be given to a family with a yard and kids to play with them.

[@dustinhiggins4752]

@@johnnybegoode2374 And she lost her job 5 years ago! Dogs are definitely family but damn. There's no way they can sit inside all day, especially in the summer? They both work and what not. Just crazy.

[@marcusweathers5867]

You should be in a homeless counseling awareness program! All those suggestions were point" on you could even "Draft Documentation" to show where to save this kind of money and help other people like her!!!! Great read!!

[@danielrivas8292]

She has two dogs living in cages, a daughter, wtf

[@nunyabuziness8421]

Leasing or making car payments on a vehicle you live in is never a good idea your home could literally be repossessed

[@ibnalfreak]

For someone who is an accountant, their budget is really out of whack.

[@FLYANDI]

That's what I was just thinking too.

[@heritagehomecare230]

I agree who spend $900 a month on food and why stay in California one of the most expensive states in America move down south Alabama Mississippi or Atlanta and just start over apply on line set up interviews also apply for apartments online you can even sign a lease and fax it back ask your daughter to get a part time job to help

[@OldNewMama]

Cali is a shit show. They could sit pretty in Texas, Louisiana or Mississippi. I know bc I have. Cheap af.

[@rgolianeh]

right on.

[@waterblaster9394]

For someone who isn’t an account, their budget is really out of whack.

[@MegKampen]

Why do people keep asking women if they have ever thought about staying in a shelter? A shelter is dangerous and noisy. A car is so much better.

[@hmsdemolition8588]

I would rather sleep in my truck than in a shelter

[@jessicah3450]

No kidding, I worked in a *nice* homeless shelter, and I would pick my car over living there. It would only be temporary to spread my legs for a night or two. Plus they always had bugs infestations which aren't as much of a problem in a car.

[@DarthFurie]

Yeah I've talked to women who live in shelters and they talk about the malice of people around them, stealing, people jumping them and beating them up. It's just terrible. I'd rather sleep in a car too

[@vandrive5687]

Because those who ask have never been to a shelter.

[@mikedawolf95]

I worked at a women’s homeless shelter and it was kind of crazy. Cramped, no privacy, and a few causing trouble or disturbance.

[@kalielwebb3774]

This is why I left California for Virginia. The best move I ever made. I left California after high school for college in Virginia. I came back to CA after completing college. I stayed in CA for 2 years and moved back to VA for good. I miss home but I’m staying in VA. I have immediately family in VA but I left my parents and good friends behind.

[@wthomas7955]

The weather in VA is terrible though.

[@kalielwebb3774]

@@wthomas7955 it’s not that bad. I been here since 2001 and the worst storm I’ve ever seen here was Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and there was no power for a week. Other than that, you get your normal thunderstorms in the summer and the winter is pretty mild and it rarely snows.

[@wthomas7955]

@@kalielwebb3774 The humidity is intolerable.

[@kalielwebb3774]

@@wthomas7955 I’ll take the humidity for three months than the forever high cost of living back home. Plus Florida humidity is much worse than Virginia.

[@wthomas7955]

@@kalielwebb3774 Oh, no question florida is far worse in the summer. However, the humidity in VA makes it uncomfortable in both the summer and winter. Too damn hot and too damn cold. The cost of living here is considered a "weather tax". Plenty of folks are willing to pay it.

[@ewarda100]

she has no place to stay just a van yet she keeps 2 dogs in her van . shows you her thinking process. no wonder she's homeless.

[@11HeathAdams]

Hidden? This was the very first thing I noticed when I got out to Cali, " THERE'S PEOPLE LIVING IN TENTS UNDER THE BRIDGES?!?!" Never have I seen so many homeless people in my life!

[@METALRON]

Yup, everyday I see this. When I used to live in Sacramento we had a huge tent city underneath an overpass. One time my friend and I were heading downtown so I could drop him off at his mom's restaurant and we saw these two homeless dudes fucking each other in the ass just on the side of the road. Hundreds of cars driving by, and these two are putting on quite the show. We thought it was hilarious, but the homeless problem here in California is horrible. Whats funny is I know someone (who is very liberal) who lives in downtown San Jose who lives in a very expensive condo that they own, its really nice, and its right by the SAP Center. Anyway, they always talk about how we need to help the homeless, do this for them, start this program, this and that, yadda yadda. Yet at the same time they get angry and disgusted by the homeless people that hang out across the street at a 7/11 and talk about how they wish they would go somewhere else and stop bothering them. Typical behavior lol. As long as its not within eye sight or their back yard they don't care. Bunch of NIMBYs. Gotta love hypocritical California!

[@nathanielbables8652]

I live in Dallas, and I've seen similar things.

[@ignorantsjjjjkjjg]

But this is in so called "good neighborhoods" in my old neighborhood homeless crackheads were a normal everyday thing. But in areas like where she lives, lol not close

[@jeffreyjewell75]

Wtf !!!!! That’s nasty !!!!!!

[@Etceterotic]

It’s bad like this in Atlanta too. Shoo, it’s bad all over Georgia. I’m seeing suburban homelessness increasing as well.

[@ESLinsider]

$900 in food is crazy. Think she could cut that way down. Eating in restaurants is way too expensive.

[@mtntime1]

Buy a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter: $5.00 total. No cooking or refrigeration required. For variety, get some apples, a box of granola, a tin of sardines. But if money's that tight, don't go to restaurants. And who pays $225 for two phones? That's crazy. I still have a flip, people laugh at it, I don't care (it's cheap). If you've got to have a smart phone, you can find them MUCH cheaper than what they're paying, if you shop around. Pick up daily necessities at your local $1 store. This is mainly just poor budgeting.

[@youresostupid1]

They fat yes scale back food but in California she couldn't afford a place still you can't rent for 1100$ there

[@ESLinsider]

@@youresostupid1 Not usually but I pay $170 a week for a single room in San Fran and no it's not nice.

[@youresostupid1]

@@ESLinsider ghetto part or a friend giving you a deal.

[@mtntime1]

Need to increase income, then. Either a better job, or a second job. I know how that goes.

[@fatimashah5311]

I feel bad for those babies being stuck in those cages all day and night.. animal control needs to take them away ASAP and give them to a loving home where they can run free

[@verdelleratz1556]

The dogs deserve a better living situation !! Turn them over to someone that I can properly care for them... NOT IN CAGES !!

[@homelessbagabundo7125]

You go get them if affect you so much

[@Aalliiiq]

That lady is homeless due to personal financial mismanagement.

[@thefrugallandlord2226]

$900 for food, well there's her problem.

[@macross7k]

Exactly! She needs to go on a diet..

[@Yggdrasilkuru]

Merica

[@catherineliu4774]

She has to eat out. Eating out can cost 300% more than it costs to eat at home. Meaning that if she could eat at home(if she had a home,) she would be spending 300 dollars or 150 dollars per person. The average food budget for food per month per person is about 250 dollars, meaning that she is forced to spend three times more to eat out while losing 100 dollars worth of food.

[@Sakura11101]

That's $5 a meal. Remember that she doesn't have a kitchen, fridge or freezer. Sure, you could argue that she should only eat pb&j and canned beans every day, but maybe having decent meals is one of the things she does to try to feel like a real human.

[@smitty4shizzles925]

She can’t cook!! She had no home so she and her daughter are more than likely eating out a lot.

[@zachiswack]

$900 for food? That's where the problem is.

[@titorocha8992]

Thats about right hypothetically if you only eat fast food at about 6 dollars a meal 3x a day and multiply that by 30 days it roughly comes out to around that

[@murdock94]

Not even that. $117 on a storage unit? Sell whatever the hell is in there and get that money back. $225 on phones? Find a cheaper plan. My wife and I spend $89 a month with T-Mobile. That right there is $253 a month they could claw back.

[@Eric-tq3vn]

@@titorocha8992 No one needs three $6 meals a day. You can live healthier eating one meal a day.

[@John-wd8vm]

Well. . theyre both terribly overweight.

[@kendavid891]

Lol

[@Mistyfgdf]

Updated version for 2020? CAUSE I KNOW ITS WAY WORSE NOW

[@ArgeliaCamarena-oh6gv]

Dude I can live outside in a tent cook on propane n wud NEVA SPEND $900.00 IN FOOD RENT A ROOM. IVE BEEN HOMELESS N CARLESS AT SAME TIME

[@marlkalone7361]

$900 a month on food means $30 a day. Y'all telling me you can't get a loaf of bread and eat pb&j or something?

[@Ouchthathurt843]

Do they look like they can skip a meal lmao?

[@latieraqueen7Pacheco]

Think they have a nerve problem.

[@jessicah3450]

She should get a portable camping stove and cook some cheaper food instead of eating out. Not that her income will get her a comfortable life either though. You get out of these holes by saving pennies, not dollars.

[@ryuhadooken5609]

bruh they be eating at dennys like they have money lol

[@trinity6401]

She lives in a car, where would she put her meals? Sure she could just get bread and something but there’s a crap ton of stuff in that car

[@parallax4201971]

Hidden in plain site. Its not hidden it's totally ignored by most.

[@TigerTT]

ITS BEEN ALL OVER KZbin SINCE FOREVER!!!

[@vilecrocodile9171]

$900 in food people? Gtfo 😂

[@DragonBuilds]

I live in Goleta, a small city near s Santa Barbara and housing is very expensive. 1 bedroom houses start at $500,000. Apartments are very expensive too. I'm fortunate enough to live in a nice house here but seeing this level of suffering in my own city makes me want to do something to help.

[@eugene9661]

$225 for two phones? I pay $25 each month thru Google Fi.

[@nicktaylor935]

I lived in my Honda Civic for 6 months in Sacramento California. I was working on my masters, I had and have always had two jobs as a massage therapist, and was working as a part time artist. Its no joke out here people can be functioning members of society but stuck living in their car because of housing cost and cost of living your almost driven to live in your car no pun intended.

[@bradleypollack5658]

Homelessness is out of control here because there’s no regulation on the real estate markets. Chinese are buying up homes and leaving them vacant, flippers (flipping houses) forcing the real estate market to go sky high!! Also Californians recently voted down proposition 10 due to propaganda from the realtors and apartment associations in order to control these sky high rents! No regulation is causing all these problems!

[@kitteekittee4010]

Its really expensive here in Cali :(

[@cindyamaral3949]

Was renting a small room in someone's home ever an option at the time? I imagine paying for your own place would be a challenge for anyone but I've always had luck just finding a room for rent when money is tight.

[@racer776690]

Its called stop voting democrats, they will tax you to death.

[@Dani-fc1hc]

If sleeping in a car for extended periods of time is the only option, I would strongly consider relocating to another state. Somewhere where rent is affordable. Their shelters and social services are grossly under funded.

[@Lovestruckxoxo420]

*Me and my s.o were homeless for about 6 months, the first month I was in a hostel alone my s/o was at his father's. (before me resigning from my job as a supervisor) I gave in to my depression and compromised my job by quitting after everything fell through the cracks.* *After realizing my bi-polar depression controlled my life and every job I had (quit) I knew the system could work for me. But! at the same time I was claiming my fiance's income. They deducted every year we get 7 months of consistent income as long as I claim his. And we aren't over a certain tax bracket.* *THIS BEING SAID.* Not everyone is broke back mountain sucking on a crack pipe. But a good majority know how to abuse the system and milk it for everything. It is sad. *Some people grow from the experience some don't and continue to abuse and milk it*

[@skyty0]

If living without a roof over your head means you're abusing the system then the system is fucking broken.

[@ramonayala1982]

225 for two phones? I pay 120 for 4 phones.

[@treyKdays]

Locality?

[@rigo1925]

I pay 180 for 5 phones unlimited everything and hotspot for all phones. T-Mobile baby! But people like flexing so they get Verizon smh

[@fagbag9553]

She has a lease its best for her to keep it so it keeps her credit good

[@fagbag9553]

Mike Bartley you livin on disability

[@dudleyguti2448]

Damn lady I pay 150for five lines

[@platapussdragon]

They live in California thats the problem right there.

[@whereskevan]

exactly, just drive to a cheaper state

[@GoTimeGross]

Ya I used to live the bay area. 20 coach surfing.... when I wanted my own place, it wasn't realistic even working full time.... 2010 Moved to TX worked just 40 hours as a temp forklift driver and was able to afford house/rent not an apt.... car payment. All the Bill's we all have, pay for Jiujitsu and still have money left over to visit CA a couple times a year. If I was struggling in TX ...dont know how but some people are, move to ATL. It's the cheapest place to live in the country

[@platapussdragon]

I moved to Montana and make way less than $2G’s a month and im not homeless, Montana has apartments for around $500/month. California is just shitty

[@nicolea8205]

platapussdragon but Montana doesn’t have a lot of jobs plus if you’re like me and want a city life with culture moving there or the Midwest is undesirable. I would not live in California but there are better places to live

[@WoWUndad]

@@platapussdragon hahahahahahah calling California shitty from Montana hahahahah

[@VJETRA]

2000 a month is more than enough, she just doesn't have money management

[@richmann2264]

Her expenses!! $900/month for food, $225 for 2 phones, STORAGE?!? Storage is a waste. Does she really think she’s going back to her fully employed life any time soon - after FIVE YEARS HOMELESS???

[@InTheMourning421]

$900 on food is ridiculous. Get you some canned food. You absolutely do not have to eat out in order to use the WiFi. In fact, the school they go to should have free WiFi for students and usually schools have ways to help their homeless students. She has many options, she just isn't looking for them.

[@corninyourpoop]

I am 2 years free of being homeless (in California!) I lived in hotels at first. Then my car. For a long long time.. Walmart parking lots. My last months homeless, I had my car stolen from me and only had the clothes on my back. I was too scared and ashamed to report it, so I never did 😢 I am still feeling the repurcussions of my being homeless. Would never wish the stress on anyone.

[@johnwatkins2804]

heather zirkle god bless you

[@Love-qv9nl]

It touched my heart ❤️ when you stated that someone stoled your car and to embarrassed to report it 😢.

[@corninyourpoop]

@@johnwatkins2804 thank you John! Blessings to you too 😊 my fiance and I just moved into our first place since this all happened!

[@corninyourpoop]

@@Love-qv9nl I'm not really sure at this point what to do and it's been so long, that I feel it would be stupid of me. But I'm afraid the people that did it will commit a crime or something and it would come back on me? But I have my own car now! It's not fancy, but it's paid off and it's MINE! 😃 Happy Holidays and hope your 2019 is awesome Lovie Love!

[@Love-qv9nl]

heather zirkle, I’m happy to hear things are turning around for you, and you got a car and is paid for. It did sounded a little scary what you said about your prior car. Maybe you can phone report it, especially if the car is registered to you. Good luck & God bless, thanks for the well wishes!

[@Gxport]

$900 on eating out when you’re homeless is mind blowing. Libraries, McDonald’s, and Starbucks have free WiFi. There are non perishable items and semi perishable like pbj sandwiches. You could even get a mini fridge and a small generator. Free hot meals at food banks and churches.

[@holdenmcgroin9774]

I was homeless last year lived in a tent. Got welfare support living in temp free housing now but I will be going back to the wilderness and will be living in a properly built shed this time...with a generator.

[@cgalon6781]

$1500 a month on leasing the car, food, and cell phones! Hmmmmmmmmmm

[@MarieHolliday]

This woman needs to learn how to budget she is throwing away over 1000 per month.

[@mayamachine]

Yes how smart are you. If only she wasn't stupid, but smart like you.

[@jeffreybarruga257]

225 for two phones is ridiculous

[@riverdogsavioroftheunivers978]

900 for food can be cut in half and so can the phone bill....time to get rid of the storage and its not impossible to keep clean without spending 50 a month....planet fitness is less than half that amount...this lady is either exaggerating her monthly or is a gross overspender....i live on a budget of 800 per month here in California doing van life

[@teresaalford5978]

You got it!!!!, she could cut $300 of just from overeating!!!!

[@fkcuuu8362]

That’s the problem. A lot of people aren’t fit to take care of themselves. Let alone kids. And then they have kids. Which makes life harder and most women don’t know most men just want sex. Not love or family. Then they become single parents. It’s crazy how similar she is to my mom. Over weight. CAN NOT BUDGET. Won’t improve her life even if it’s easy and will help her kids. Can not eat right. Or healthy.

[@darcymackenzie7654]

Safe parking programme, what an awesome idea.... I imagine a day, soon, when this lack of housing worldwide is addressed.... I live in an undercover camper in Australia, by choice, and hear stories of people being hassled in the same places I camp, because their vehicle is not stealth like mine...... not good

[@wthomas7955]

Yeah, it really is a good idea.

[@atutor1]

You can eat a $20 restaurant 45 times for $900. Or you can get 180 $5 footlongs. Eat some Ramen noodles and cans of tuna for a month and save $500. Make the other easy adjustments like stop leasing, get a $40/mo cellphone, $10/mo gym, no dog, and get a cheap apartment.

[@SAILOREARTH89]

their food budget is too high as is their phones

[@angelfirelite]

She should UBER instead!

[@ashleyadcock339]

well seeing as they don't have a kitchen to cook in and fast food is expensive... yeah its kinda high

[@truveo]

There food budget is actually cheap. There phone however, is very high...metro pcs has unlimited everything for only 40 dollars per month for one line

[@Kneil-qz1xh]

Its an iphone

[@dadareed55]

Well look how fat they are.

[@tobiherbert4337]

Wow. It’s incredibly disappointing to see so many hateful and ignorant comments about homelessness. It happened to my husband and I a while back. I worked for over 25 years as a paralegal making a very good living but unexpectedly became disabled after an accident. It took years to get approved for SSDI and our savings became depleted due to medical bills in addition to my no longer having an income. Despite my husband working full time, he did not make enough money to pay rent (even for a studio) in San Diego, which is where I was born and raised and our son attends school, for the record. We were forced to live in various campgrounds in the area for 6 months while our son stayed with family. We also had to pay our car payments, insurance and, yes even cell phones *gasp* in addition to our son’s living expenses. During this time we met other homeless individuals, couples and families that had faced similar circumstances. I now am receiving a fairly small amount for disability and take odd jobs when I can. My husband still has the same job and our son is now in college. We can now afford to live in a very modest studio apartment. It can happen to anyone no matter how hard you work or plan. It’s easy to speak ill of another until you walk a mile in their shoes.

[@nonviablevenus9206]

Thank you, I don't even have words for the comments I've been scrolling past. I am glad I came across yours though.

[@mb3938]

Well said. The ignorants think they are made of steel. They'll see when the illness comes.

[@jonestasha901]

So sorry your family went through this. I'm glad now you have a studio to call home. May you and your family always be blessed

[@rashidadavis8389]

The woman in the video is homeless by CHOICE! She spends THOUSANDS on food, phone, car lease, but REFUSES TO GET A PLACE FOR HER DAUGHTER TO LIVE! She is shameful!

[@zacharyjones1285]

@That's Not Me don't give up you can do it don't focus on the past focus on moving forward plan and you'll be OK I'll pray for you.

[@MichaelTPDPetersen]

2k $ , Sounds like a dream for budget.. I live on 950 atm in a 2 bed room apartment, 900 on food is mad overkill , I use like 250 on food a month :/

[@coc_champs]

I am more concerned about their health they have to work on their fitness.

[@nihilisticbarbie]

What a weird thing to fixate on instead of the fact that, you know, they have no fucking home

[@anthonykence9954]

Lady you can not afford to live in California move the hell out to greener pastures.

[@jrudymorganclark2072]

Yeah bro just like wildebeest in the serenguetti.

[@dennis771]

A lot of people there don’t know any better

[@Yggdrasilkuru]

j rudy morgan clark she looks like one tbh 😂

[@moneyfresh2818]

Anthony Kence Dallas Texas is cheaper

[@eliatzarortiz8048]

MONEY FRESH live in Dallas and it’s amazing, cheap, and safe (except southdallas and many great jobs

[@armin38822]

Move out of California. Start working two jobs in other state. Change your eating habits. Get to know yourself when you have free time. In two years her life would be much better. That's what I would do.

[@rogertorillo7148]

Eating always in restaurant is so expensive. Thats the reason she dont save money...

[@Anthony-he3yn]

working two jobs.. oh yea that sounds like a great life! Life is much more than work and paying bills...

[@armin38822]

@@Anthony-he3yn for a while. Just to get back on your feet

[@lolamallience8431]

@@armin38822 it’s a systemic problem in Denmark they provide housing and enough benefits for the homeless and do rent control.. this is achieved by taxing the rich... but America hates doing that

[@mysmirandam.6618]

@@rogertorillo7148 she could also get a hot plate and plug it in at the park

[@pinguino187]

I think lady in the car would be saving about 500$ if she stopped eating fast food and eating more fruits and veggies

[@rein3684]

Where would she store it? It would spoil so fast in a car without a fridge

[@pinguino187]

@@rein3684 takes about 4 days or so to spoil. Enough time to go get more fruits

[@crand20033]

The homeless lady (and most homeless people) say they don't want to live in a shelter yet the homeless advocate says they are building more shelters. So how will that help anyone?

[@Brandon-sr2bl]

I doubt she is an "accountant". She doesn't have a college degree. She probably does accounts payable and goes around saying she is an accountant. I'm a CPA and I can tell you accountants are in heavy demand everywhere

[@vickieclark5931]

Yeah, I had a little bit of trouble understanding the part of her not being able to find a job as an accountant. It doesn't matter if your in your 40's. I have an accountant I go to every year when I do my taxes that is around 70. I tell you what, I would rather have an accountant up in the 70's then a 25 year old that just got out of school. I don't want to risk any bad taxes with a wet behind the ear accountant so to me the older they are, the better they are. And that goes for most jobs also. So not finding an accountant job in her 40's is bull.

[@rickross7259]

ya she could change some things shes doing wrong but the idiots that take the time to post comments talking shit about a homeless women are the real dirt bags that should be on the street

[@randymoran67]

@Gary McMichael Still smoking meth greggy !

[@sct4040]

Brandon I also wouldn't trust her, since she even can't budget properly.

[@Raychristofer]

This is sad and the truth is a lot of people are two paychecks away from ending up like this. I give her credit for going to school because there is a light at the end of the tunnel and she's working toward it. What I'm going to say maybe controversial but it's even more important that it showed a white family homeless because if it was any other minority a lot of viewers would not care or take much notice. I have a feeling they will be okay in time and and during hard times like this will make them appreciate better when they are able to get a place and make them tougher. But yeah I would have to get rid of the Dogs too

[@sailer501]

Dog are kept in cages like hamsters. Poor dogs.

[@nancyfontenot4312]

@@sailer501 What do they do with the dogs in hot weather when locked in the car. In all 50 states, animal abuse is a felony!

[@brianmorey1223]

If a lot of people are two paychecks away from ending up homeless, then they need to clear their debt

[@Raychristofer]

@@brianmorey1223 I don't have any debt my car is paid off and don't own a credit card but 4 yrs ago my rent rose and our van died and between that and daycare bills we were touch and go for many months. It's real for some folks

[@floydammons5429]

@@brianmorey1223 There are lots of kinds of debt...some folks lost hundreds of thousands of dollars when the housing market crashed. My cousin was under-insured (couldn't afford it with 3 kids) and his car was a total loss after an accident. Some of us were told that we had to take out tens of thousands of dollars in student loans when we were teenagers and didn't have a good understanding of finances. Some folks got sick, lost their job, had medical bills... Debt is designed to keep you in it for as long as possible in America.

[@darrelldixon9044]

I'm Disabled, a Veteran, and have been homeless for two years. I'm not a drug addict, just lost my housing two years ago when the apartment complex I was living at in Mesa Arizona was sold to a buyer in Toronto, who promptly notified the tenants living with Section 8 or VASH assistance they had the option to move out or pay full market value rent without assistance. I found while looking for a place to move to, that most low income housing in my area was eliminated in this same fashion by greedy investors and was unavailable to find another place to live. I bought an old van on payments and was forced to start living in it. I did so for a year and was offered a tiny fiberglass trailer on payments. I found that the person I bought it from had mislead me on a clear title, and have had difficulty getting it registered and legal to tow. I have been stranded at a Recreation Area, above Kingman Arizona for seven months now trying to get repairs done to my van. It is no longer safe to drive, and definitely not suitable to tow my trailer. It has been a living hell, upto 128 degrees at times this summer, now dealing with freezing cold at night and heavy winds. Every time I try to get some repairs made, something comes up. I bought a used generator which failed in a couple weeks, had to buy another one, then my emotional support dog Archie was badly bitten and required veterinary care, my air conditioning compressor failed in my Van, I cut my knuckle to the bone and ligaments on some glass discarding some trash which resulted in an Emergency Room Visit. I have been trying to get help, and have not had much success. I was accepted for PATH Rapid Rehousing through the Catholic Charities, but have searched all over Mohave County but found I cannot afford an apartment on my disability income. I have been looking for a room for rent, but no luck. So now I'm in a panic as I was notified by the Catholic Charities Caseworker handling my information, had their computer stolen and now my personal information has been compromised. I am on a waiting list for Section 8, basically started over. I did not choose to be in this homeless situation, and have been doing my best to deal with everything I have experienced the past 2 years. I had to literally give everything I owned away when I lost my apartment EVERYTHING!, I did try and keep my many tools, but those to were lost to a "friend" who was going but keep them until I get settled, but would never respond to my calls or texts. I am absolutely sick of my life. I don't live anymore, I merely exist, and it's not much of an existence at that. I have not showered in nearly 8 months, and haven't bathed in over two years since losing my apartment. My teeth are broken, many missing, and I broke another one recently, not looking forward to the toothache that's coming. I am nearly blind in one eye and can only see clearly with glasses, but I lost one of the lenses. I have reached out to every VA organization or service center I know of for help, but am ineligible. I worked for the Air Force starting my senior year of high school, as a civilian employee and for the next decade. I also simultaneously served 6 years in the Air National Guard, and was honorably discharged, but still don't meet the requirements as I was on active duty for well over a year with Avionics Technical School, and was activated during Desert Storm, but could not deploy with my unit, as I was a 3 level technician straight out of school. I have no family for support, no friends, only a few people I have met while being homeless. I have had a fellow vet brings some water bottles and food items several months back, and just today was given a propane tank, heavy sleeping bag, and nice winter coat by Catholic charities, these were definitely a blessing and will definitely help, but I don't see how I can ever get out of my situation as my limited income doesn't suffice to handle the many needs I currently have trying to get out of my homeless situation along with handling my major dental problems, lack now of a safe vehicle, and trailer registration. Any day the area I am staying may be closed, the BLM Rangers have told me they plan to close access to this Recreation Area soon. I will be in an Emergency Situation when they do, and have no idea yet what I will do .

[@adjusted-bunny]

I love how plump they are.

[@devonhutson669]

Having dogs in a car all thier life is cruelty

[@summerdawn6777]

You're worried about the DOG ?

[@devonhutson669]

Yup if you cant afford a place for the animal to live get rid of it i dont care who you are

[@simonyip5978]

The dogs probably act as a defence against crime.

[@joeblow8750]

@@simonyip5978 having the dog is the crime

[@simonyip5978]

joe blow I agree with you that it's not good for a dog to live in a vehicle, but I doubt that the owners are being deliberately cruel and I don't think the dog will suffer having to sleep in a car or SUV.. the only problem is what he if the owners have to go somewhere and have to leave the dog in the car..

[@chocolatemounds7758]

To anyone planning on living here in California please make sure before you arrive that you have a career or job already set up, I see countless people coming here with just a dream which is not good enough. A one bedroom in a crappy neighborhood will run you $1800 per month a two bedroom will cost you $2400 per month, it’s overpriced and depressing. Landlords are getting away with overcharging for rent and no one is doing anything about it, I am thinking about leaving in 1 to 2 years to avoid increasing rent and becoming homeless myself.

[@rob4814]

Two types of people live in commifornia Liberal rich & homeless.

[@KS-xo3zb]

well this person just smashed my dreams....

[@BigMisterApple]

Don't worry, California will eat itself within a few years.

[@nayoxd]

chocolate mounds yeah. The rent has gone up A LOT. About 7 years ago, there would be apartments with 1 room for over $700-$900 and now thats alnost impossible to find here in California

[@bom21h]

You do understand why it is expensive? its called supply and demand. a lot of ppl want to live there, so housing becomes scarcer. also what they say in the video about it not being profitable to build cheap housing is false. if they were allowed to build big multifamily buildings, it would be worth it, but the building codes in CA are crazy. the time it takes just to get the aproval to do so can take years and thats before they start to build anything.

[@sk8punk318]

$900 for food and $225 for phones? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@beethat3193]

That food bill needs to be cut down some

[@moonrivyr5242]

why would y’all keep your dogs in your car :/ they’re just suffering with you might as well just give them away to a better home

[@donnafrank9240]

If you and your kid homeless you dont need no dog

[@gypseenomad3956]

Exactly

[@jessicah3450]

They're part of the family, and surrendering them most likely leads to them being euthanized. There's too many unwanted dogs out there.

[@maxwelljeter5286]

@@jessicah3450 keeping your dog in your car all day is no life for a dog. a shelter would be better by far

[@_mannyornelas_]

Maxwell Jeter shelters kill the dogs unless they’re adopted

[@detroit2africaradio631]

I'm glad California started this safe parking for the homeless so they don't get harassed by police. The cost living is very high in California that's why i left and moved back to the mid west.

[@rich2583]

Safe parking= drug dens on wheels. Most of the time

[@topdawg2003]

They get harassed anyway.

[@sirswag100]

It doesn't even make sense living there tbh. I make decent money but I like living good not spending $3000/month rent that's just fcking insane.

[@x...CrankyOldMan...x]

You have to be willing to move to a place where you can afford to live. yes it may not be california, but at least you will have a place to live. living in a car for 5 years. sounds completely absurd.

[@i-never-look-at-replies-lol]

Holy shit you actually left. How smart.

[@robinreafel656]

I was in the same situation for 3 years. Hold your head up

[@mdlim24]

I rather use the $900 on food to find a room to rent. Then just live on rice and beans.

[@gregslingerland7292]

900 on food? cmon, Buy a cooler and a Coleman grill

[@nhmooytis7058]

Greg Slingerland i pay about $25 US for food in Australia and eat well and healthily!

[@misspapayausa]

yeah the food thing is ridiculous. lmfao

[@wifeonline8467]

That’s a lot for a month budget for food! That’s good for 5 Months already!

[@MsXaadiyaPrincesChronicles]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3-uZGyabMqAmcU

[@curiositea258]

CA laws and taxes are ridiculous no doubt, resulting in insane cost of living, but this particular case is just a serious lack of creativity. I was in a similar situation, and here's what I did. 1. Gave away our pets to good homes, and sold pretty much everything - *NO STORAGE.* You will end up paying more to save your shit then the shit is worth. Leave any keepsakes with a family member or friend. Sensitive documents can be stored in a bank vault. 2. Bought a small RV for $1,000 with working stove and refrigerator that ran on propane. Other then that, it was a piece of crap. 3. MOVED to a cheaper location. In our case - AZ. Most of AZ is pretty RV friendly, I wouldn't recommend Phoenix though, I didn't feel safe there. 4. Worked. And saved like hell. 5. Bought a better RV. 6. Got a position as a park host with lot and full hook up included in the deal. 7. Researching what kind of work will be in high demand in the near future, and am now looking over my options. 8. I own a used truck, so no payments. I take good care of it so I shouldn't loose very much when I resell it. 9. We own our phones. I pay $15 a month for phone service with TING. My wife pays $3.75 a month for unlimited calling text and data with a crazy deal that she got through a Sprint promotion last year. 10. We buy all Organic and Non GMO foods, so our food bill is pretty high, but we notice a huge difference in our health which is invaluable. Our food runs $500 - $600 a month and we very very rarely eat out. - Almost never. 11. We have no debt whatsoever in any way shape or form, so though we may appear poor on the outside we are actually much richer then the majority of Americans. We are actually much happier now, enjoying more time together, and a healthier life style then when we were trying to make it in modern society.

[@JoseLopez-yq3eq]

@Twiggula T The whole state isn't like that lol sure AZ has its few trashy towns like Coolidge but a lot of places are real nice like Gilbert, Queen Creek, Flagstaff, Glendale, etc

[@az_roadtech]

Twiggula T yes stay away from az move to Colorado or something. No vacancy here

[@timothymartino4716]

That's liberalism for you

[@lcross796]

@@az_roadtech Colorado? For a time I've thought that I would move there for some time. But thinking about it, it has already put protection laws on genderfluid/pseudo-gender bullshit. So, it is following California's footsteps on that matter. I don't know much about how they compare, but if I were to live in California back when a law about misgendering someone can take you to jail, I would have moved out ASAP.

[@jessicathompson236]

Curiosi Tea, for your smaller family keepsakes get a small waterproof/fireproof safe for your RV. I would also keep my pets and find a way. I do however agree on the organic non GMO foods though.

[@mattturner2381]

Phone can get cut by 75% using prepaid. Unlimited everything. Planet fitness also has $10 monthly. Can save a couple hundred on expenses easy

[@kadenchurchill4818]

Restaurants cost usually at least $10 per meal so 10 times 30 days = 300. You can get a roommate and rent will cost that much. Problem solved.

[@angelafarris7266]

California is expensive as heck. It was ridiculous i moved back to texas really quick.

[@palehorse7377]

Not really. Its same as everywhere else. Rent is higher and so is pay.

[@tooblessedtobestressed1538]

Y not move to south or northcarolina or las vegas

[@1235awesomeperson]

I’m 19, my mom recently went homeless in California. Living in a minivan. Bless her

[@cjboac9864]

Emma L And where are you living? Can you not help your Mom? Get her out of ridiculous California now! If you don’t help your Mom with everything you’ve got then you’ll be large partly to blame if any harm comes to her! Think about that, but not to long, help her!

[@yayaluv2be691]

Hope everything works out for her.

[@lohst1672]

I’ve been homeless since 17, it’s been difficult to say the least. Almost 26 now, slowly giving up

[@ismt101]

@@lohst1672 what happened??? Would be glad to hear your story. And please don't give up

[@DidMikeMakeThis]

Hope she ain't spending 900 on food

[@Starlight-sc4bp]

A lot of places in California are $1000 every month for rent. It depends on the city that you live in as well. A small town that I used to live in the rent was about $500-$700 a month.

[@flanagamer]

Rent is WAY higher than that in Cali now - my rent in rural TX is $1700/month. Can’t imagine what the average rents are in San Diego/L.A. rn 😬

[@damn671]

Hidden? It's not really "hidden". You see them everywhere in Cali

[@manymoonstraveled]

$900 on food?? Does she keep her dogs in the van all day while she works?? Something wrong here.

[@MsXaadiyaPrincesChronicles]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3-uZGyabMqAmcU

[@kyree816]

She is too old to not know how to manage her money🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@gypseenomad3956]

And she was an accountant

[@fleaship6134]

@@gypseenomad3956 no surprises that she lost her job

[@zbthlpz280]

and the dauther looks older than 16 partime jobs hello

[@matthewarnold4557]

2k a month in LA is nothing

[@marissamcafee6442]

I would recommend getting a pay as you go phone from AT and T. I pay about $55.70 a month and there’s no contract.

[@kuyaaj7722]

225 on phone? iPhone 12 financing? and 900 for food? for two people? I think that’s the problem right there

[@jessiromero4967]

Holy shit 900 on food and 220 on phones that’s my rent and all bills combined 😱 I only pay 70 a month o. Two phones 35 each

[@theothistledon6935]

I used to spend $30 AUD per month now im going lower to $10. I heard there's a lower one $7.50 per month. Lol 😂 $125 per month each seems very expensive.

[@tinamacy3312]

Me too

[@ontherims3284]

She requires 300 packs of ramen a day.