Stacy

Featured Video Play Icon

I met Stacy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania while doing outreach with Dr Jim Withers .

Stacy says she would rather sleep on the streets than have to give sexual favors to sleep inside someone’s apartment.

When I asked Stacy if there is help she said something very true, “there is help but there isn’t help”! The current homeless services system is broken and we make it nearly impossible for people to get help. Just one example: most shelters now require that you have an income, and for people who cannot work yet can only get government assistance (around $200 a month plus $100 or so in food stamps depending on State) there is NO SUPPORT to get them out of homelessness. Basically, they are left to die on the streets and that is unacceptable!

Stacy is lucky. She qualified for SSI which “almost” pays enough for rent but little else. If there was low-income housing stock she could get subsidized housing. But most Section 8 programs have a waiting list. Stacy’s option is to pay some cash and her body to a man to have a place to stay. This situation is very common for women experiencing homelessness.

Special thanks to Dr. Jim Withers 


Invisible People

Invisible People

           

We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Until then, we strive to be the most trusted source for homelessness.

Related Topics




Get the Invisible People newsletter


RECENT STORIES

80-year-old Woman Homeless in Sad Diego

Miss Katie

Homeless man, in Manchester, New Hampshire, freezing from the cold weather

Giancarlo

A 65-Year-Old's Story of Homelessness in Manchester, New Hampshire

Pablo

Single Dad with Four Kids Homeless in a Hotel Room

Kevin and his four children


RECENT ARTICLES

Neighborhood watch impact on neighbors without walls

Neighborhood Watch Groups and Their Anti-Homeless Crusade

scene of a crime homeless man murdered in florida

Another Homeless Man Senselessly Murdered in Florida

Affordable Housing contributes to thriving communities and overall well-being

How the Affordability of Housing Makes or Breaks Entire Communities

true cause of homelessness is lack of affordable housing

Without the Addiction and Mental Health Crises, There Would Still be Homelessness

Get the Invisible People newsletter