GIVING VOICE — In late October, as the cold weather sets in, we at Tedford Housing, as well as other emergency housing programs throughout the state, are experiencing a big increase in calls for assistance. Some are from people right on the edge of losing their housing, as rents have skyrocketed in our area, and one too many emergencies in their lives has pushed them to the brink of homelessness.
Another group of callers are those who have passed that point and are now unsheltered. Some are tenting, living in an abandoned building or in a trailer with no heat, running water or septic system. Some people, particularly in larger towns and cities, sleep in encampments. And many live in their cars. One presentation, at recent conference hosted by Preble Street included video testimony from people around the state describing their experience of being homeless. One described their journey into homelessness as a “cascading chain of events.”
Since early September, Tina from Lincoln County has lived in her car. Tina said she “never thought I’d be here.” Her chain of events began with a divorce. She and her husband owned a home together. When they divorced, he got the house. Tina and her daughter found a house to rent. Unfortunately, the landlord sold the property and the new owners planned on residing in the house. She was forced to move. Her daughter moved out of state with her boyfriend. Tina, with no options she could afford on a fixed monthly income, became homeless.
Suddenly finding yourself homeless and living in your car is traumatic enough. But it also comes with many costs that play out over time, and with lasting impact. Health is one of them. People who experience homelessness have an average life expectancy of around 50 years of age, almost 20 years lower than people who are housed (USICH). Health Care for the Homeless reports that people experiencing homelessness are: three to four times more likely to die prematurely, two times as likely to have a heart attack or stroke, and three times more likely to die of heart disease if they are between 25 and 44 years old.
In Tina’s case, she was taking medication for a chronic physical health condition that needed to be refrigerated. “I took them every two weeks, but in between they needed to be refrigerated, so I couldn’t take them anymore” … she spoke with her physician, “… but there is nothing they can do other than keep me on a low dose of other medications.”
Tina listed what the top three challenges have been for her since losing her housing: “Finding a place to sleep, so I can park my car and not have to be woken up by someone saying I have to move it. Bathrooms are a huge one. And “saving money – I have to buy pre-made food. I can’t make my own food. I gotta buy gas to stay warm.” Other expenses she has as a direct result of becoming homeless have included laundry, paying for storage “so if I ever do have a house again, I’ll have my things.” She also pays for a Y membership so she can shower.
Clearly, one of the top factors that keeps Tina and others facing the oncoming Maine winter without a home, is the cost of rent. When Tina was asked if she had any prospects for housing she replied “oh gosh no. I call every day if I see something. First question I ask is how much? My income is $1,000 a month. And rent is like $1,200, $1,500, up to $2,000 – if not more … and then you have to pay for utilities. I don’t have a fraction of what they want.”
Tina would like to remain in her home area but has been looking for housing in a one-hour radius around Damariscotta. She has put most of her life on hold. Buying anything new, even clothing, makes her feel guilty. When asked about what she felt were misperceptions about people who experienced homelessness she spoke of the stigma of drugs and homelessness. “It’s not all drug users out there.” So far Tina has not opted to be in a shelter. “I was even offered a bed, but unfortunately the idea for me of staying with a stranger in a room sent me into such anxiety, I couldn’t do it.”
As the conversation wrapped up, Tina was asked what her fears were as the really cold weather approaches. “My main concern is carbon monoxide poisoning and running my vehicle…To be honest it is either freezing or am I going to die in my sleep. Those are my choices. It’s [a lot] of anxiety but I’m dealing with it.” Tina continues to work with her case manager at Tedford on options for housing. They are both determined to find a solution to her homelessness, but for the present she remains in her car.
Giff Jamison is director of programs for Tedford Housing and one of the contributors to Giving Voice. Giving Voice is a weekly collaboration among four local non-profit service agencies to share information and stories about their work in the community.
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