I was living a life that was quite different just a few years back. I used to be a retail manager in a small flat with my dog, Max. Things were stable. However, when the company, I worked for, downsized, I lost my job, and things went from bad to worse from then on. It was not long before my inability to meet my rent became very obvious because I had no consistent source of income. I never once considered the possibility of getting evicted, but it happened very soon, and I had nowhere to go. I’ve been living in my car ever since. At first, I thought it would only be for a little while. Although I submitted applications for jobs to different companies, the fact that I did not have an address made things much more difficult. Every day is a struggle now—finding a place to shower, to sleep safely, to keep going. Sometimes, when I have good days, I am capable of volunteering at a nearby food pantry. It is the best way to stay in touch with people and at the same time reminds me that I am not alone in this. Most of the time I am in the library where I take online courses to acquire new skills hoping for something to change. Homelessness was a situation I thought I could never be in. It is not just a roof over your head—it is also a stable environment, safety, and a sense of being. Nonetheless, I am battling to keep the hope alive. I believe that if the right help is given, it will be possible to improve the situation, not just for me, but also for other people who are just on the verge of where I am.
