"Today I Became Homeless"- An Eye Witness Account During the Affordable Housing Awareness Week Homeless Simulation

*In the past five years housing costs have increased by as much as 68% in parts of the Richmond region.  (Source: Richmond Times Dispatch and local planning departments)

TODAY I BECAME HOMELESS

“Walking in Their Shoes” by Rhonda Beckner,

April 23, 2008

My day began with breakfast at 7 AM -   a good start with a full belly and a good night’s rest sleeping in my own bed.   I know, however, that there are approximately 1,150 homeless people on the street today and that   500-800 of homeless individuals in our area, in a given year are children. 

So, at 8 AM, I met with 20 other volunteers who will participate in Affordable Housing Awareness Week in a homelessness simulation project called “Walking in Their Shoes.”  Each of us will take on a homeless identity and in groups of three will live as the homeless do for one day.  My group was given the profile of people who have become homeless due to three situations: being at the wrong place at the wrong time, conviction of a drug charge, and incarceration. We have no job, no money, and no family. We are given a black plastic bag of rain suits to carry with us.

After being dropped off at the Richmond Library on Franklin St. between 8:30 – 8:45 AM, we learn that the library didn’t open until 9AM. When the library did open, we went in carrying our belongings; the receptionist, however, told us we would have to leave our bags outside but not on the library premises or they would be thrown away.

While we were in the library, we looked for affordable housing (in our minds that was under $500.00 monthly) which needed to be on a bus line. Our mission was to find 3 places--- which we did, but clearly the demand for affordable housing is greater than the supply.

As we left the library, on the steps I met a lady named Teresa who looked displaced with a glazed look in her eyes. She told me she was taking a break from her home. In my belongings bag I pulled out a rain suit and asked her if she would like one. She nodded her head yes. I asked her where she was having lunch and she told me St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the city. It was amazing to me she that knew where to find a free lunch.  I did see her at lunch and said “hi.” She asked me my name and I told her “Rhonda.” As she was leaving, she said “bye” to me and she requested that I call her “Shonda.”

Before lunch, my group visited the OAR building (Offender Aid and Restoration of Richmond, Inc) to find out how to get “in the system.” Did you know that 60% of the homeless have a criminal record? Here you are assigned a case worker who helps guide you in finding a job, some counseling, and whatever it takes to keep you motivated into bettering yourself and staying out of trouble. The caseworkers try to keep their clients focused and to give them encouragement. They have had clients who have succeeded in overcoming their poverty come back to talk with new clients.

My group went to lunch at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church which that day fed over 350 free meals. I noticed lots of friendships among the group. One woman told me that these people were her friends, and they would fight for her. I talked with the piano player who comes every day to play for the group and a singer who had a beautiful voice. I spoke with a gentleman who is wheelchair-bound and sleeps in the alley ways of Oregon Hill. I thought: “How can he really get around? Do the buses provide for wheelchair-bound people?” These people don’t want to be homeless; it’s the unfortunate circumstances that have put them here.

My group went to the Department of Social Services at 1:30 PM only to find out that they had met their 50 “new” client quota for the day. I wondered: “What about the mother who spent her last dime coming here with her 3 children to hopefully get food stamps to help her feed her family? What is she to do? Where is she to go? What time should she come back if she can tomorrow?” All of these questions are unanswered because tomorrow’s quota might not be 50 depending on the workers and the workload.

By the end of the day I was very discouraged. I thought: “What can I do and how can I help make the process easier for the homeless?” I really didn’t have an answer and neither did my other two companions.

My group met with the other volunteers to debrief about the day. We learned that a 10- year plan for affordable housing for the homeless exists. Many volunteers are needed for different capacities. If we all pull together and volunteer as much as we can, we can make a difference in the lives of the homeless and the streets of our community.

     The need for affordable housing in the Richmond Metropolitan area is an issue of growing importance, as it affects the health and economic well-being of communities and people across the region. For the past two years, volunteers from Central Virginia Baptist Ministries have helped to build homes that provide safe and affordable housing.    Rhonda Beckner serves as a member of the Central Virginia Baptist Ministries Coordinating Team.