Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE 禄

Have you ever been Homeless ? (50s)

More and more people are struggling these days.
I was homeless for about 4 months in the late 90's. Had alcohol problems.
Set up a tent in the hills surrounding Perth.
Used to visit the Soup Kitchen in Fremantle.
No home, no job, No money, no hope.
Very disheartening when society ignores one.
If you watch people walk past a homeless person, the majority avert their eyes.
They do realise that at the stroke of a pen, there goes your job, your Mortgage payments, your home, your self esteem, your reason for living.
So many people are living on the edge of the Abyss, a slight tremor will make the foundation crumble and many people will fall to their demise
Dusty101F
Fair play to you... getting your life back must have been really hard going.. and for being homeless.. Awe you poor thing.. I'm so happy you had the determination. I really am. I have known someone since I was 2. He is homeless now. He set up camp in a forest down my road. It breaks my heart. I paid for two nights in a b and b for him last week. And I get him a few bits. My hubby won't let me bring him back to our home. I got my friend on the housing list and keep my fingers crossed he'll get a place soon. He messed it up the last time.
Thingschange444451-55, M
@Dusty101 Total respect to you. 馃枓 You are the type of person that makes all the difference to the unfortunate.
What you say is true. I came close once to becoming homeless. I was far from my home. I still remember how it felt. I doubt I ever will forget. It is said the majority of people are 1-2 pay cheques away from losing everything. I am glad you are not there now.
Gusman61-69, M
@PoetryNEmotion I live in Country Western Australia, working full time in a well paid job.
I marvel at the Milky Way above me every night.
I am at work right now. Night shift. 1 am. The machine has broken down so I am able to converse on SW.Must go soon. Machine has restarted.
@Gusman Nice chatting with you, Gus. Take care. Soon again?
Gusman61-69, M
@PoetryNEmotion Soon again. Bye now
silentwriter18051-55, F
Thankfully, no. But I am houseless. I housesit for a friend for most of the year, as he works on a ship. During the weeks that he's back, I am either staying in a friends motorhome or in my office. At least I have a roof over my head. My home is the city I live in.
@silentwriter180 And you are happiest that way?
silentwriter18051-55, F
@PoetryNEmotion AT this point, yes. I have my friends apartment for most of the year. He comes back after a 3 week or 6 week trip, and is home for about 2-3 weeks. It works well for both of us. He pays the rent and I pay utilities, and he knows there is someone here to take care of the apartment. Then he has a secure place of his own when he gets back. When he is home, I always have another roof over my head. It's a good arrangement for both of us.
He works on one of the National Geographic "cruise ships" as a naturalist, doing presentations of the surroundings and animals in the area they are in. Most of the trips are down to Antarctica.
@silentwriter180 What a fine arrangement! I am happy for you. And him. Two homes in one.
KaysHealingPath36-40, F
I have been. I was 16. My options stay home and wait to be raped and continue to accept the sexual harassment and molestation from my mother鈥檚 husband- or leave and take my chances.

I felt safer on a park bench then I did I at home. Eventually my best friends parents offered me a place to stay. I slept in my best friends room with him and his 2 little brothers. I slept on a bunk bed. I stayed with them for 3 months while I worked 2 jobs and saved enough to get my own little apt
Thingschange444451-55, M
So true. Good realistic post. Yes I was homeless at 19. Not many people give a shit tbh but the few that do more than make up for those who don't.
SW-User
Good post Gus
I'd rather not go there in my mind
senghenyddM
Hello Gusman how did you make it back did family put you back on your feet no doubt kicking the habit helped, never been homeless myself but there was a time when I suddenly stopped and thought out plans to steer myself in the right direction, friends in the past have taken similar routes to the one you took and now they aren't here among us anymore. More must certainly be done, British Government have promised to get everyone off the Streets of Great Britain within ten years.
Gusman61-69, M
@senghenydd Bob Hawke, Australian Prime Minister said the same thing 20 years ago. There are four times more homeless people now.
Politicians lie to get elected or to remain elected. Scum of the Earth
senghenyddM
@Gusman It's been great talking to you.
Gusman61-69, M
@senghenydd Likewise, bye now
SW-User
If i see someone on the street i will go out of my way to say hi, just ask how they are going and ill give them some money. It doesn't always turn out how i expect but i try. I know that five minutes out of my time may be all the positivity they may get in their day or week even. I refuse to judge what they spend it on either. Its sad we are so selfish when it could be any one of us. Bless you my friend!
silentwriter18051-55, F
@SW-User I feel the same way. Most of our 'homeless' in this general area (Cannery Row) are drunks, so I don't like to give them money, as I know that they will go in and spend it on nothing but alcohol from the nearest gas station. Instead, I will go into one of our local restaurants and buy them a take out meal. They are appreciative of that.
Gusman61-69, M
@SW-User I do the same thing. Having been in their situation, understanding their mental torment, I do what I can to show them they are worthy of recognition. I often give genuine homeless people some cash. I often give them food. I even take some to cafes and buy them a meal and a hot drink and talk with them.
They only want to be listened to. They only want to know that they are worthy.
I give them a little of myself and it does cheer them for a few hours at least.
SW-User
If you overcome this. Then you are very brave. And it shows that one should never loose hopes 馃
hlpflwthatM
Sorry you went through that - glad you endured.
Picklebobble256-60, M
Amen.
Been homeless twice through one unscrupulous landlord and a job that went bust before we got paid and nobody told us !

Sad statistic is that most of us will come close if not go through it sooner or later.
Economists say you're only three paychecks from walking the street.
Yeah. Got kicked out a lot as a kid. Then i was homeless in my early 20s & a nice old man let me live in one of his empty properties for free. It wasnt as bad as it sounds. A lot of people have it a lot worse for a lot longer!
馃憤
Roofless for sure but not homeless as this Universe is home to all of us.

Hope should be the way of each life.
"The only thing in life that we can rely on is each other." anon
badminton61-69, MVIP
How did you get out of homelessness?
Gusman61-69, M
@badminton When a person hits rock bottom, ie, homeless alcoholic, then decisions need to be made. Continue the lifestyle and be dead in a year or two or take control.
I took control,. Stopped drinking, went to the housing Authority, pleaded my case, they found me a place to live, I found employment and started over again.
Hard work and determination to never be lying in the gutter again.
SW-User

 
Post Comment