Trapped in paradise: how we got the homeless situation (part 1)

It's tough to put a number on how many Americans are homeless. About one and a half million people sleep in homeless shelters every year, but that doesn't count the many, many more living without a permanent home. For the past 5 years, we've been talking to people living on the street - whether in vehicles or informal encampments - who have told us their stories of how they got there and how they survive.

Our friend and blogger Johnny Sanphillippo walked us through the history and current situation in his hometown of San Francisco where the homeless situation has risen with property values (among other issues). Sanphillippo shares his own experiences without homelessness.

“My mother, she never wanted to say that we were homeless because that isn't how she felt about it, but we were living in a car, we were bathing in gas stations. And I think that other people who have never had those experiences don't understand that there's a broad spectrum of homelessness that sometimes you're homeless for all sorts of reasons and it's very often a temporary situation that you limp through until you get to something better.”

Our title is a direct quote from Dave, an RV dweller in Bolinas, who told us, “I've been out here for 2 or 3 years. For a while, I was stuck in this spot. My truck broke down, I had no money, and I could not get out of town. There's no work here. It was f***ed. But I was trapped in paradise.”

*Thank you, Johnny, for sharing your photo collection, both personal, and from your walks through San Francisco.

[abernathymonsoon]

This was very enlightening as well as informative.
I became disabled and unable to work earlier this year - I am waiting for approval for SSDI (6 month process if there are no obstacles). I have used all of my savings and cashed out two retirement funds. This is my last month being able to afford my current apartment of 15 years. I have already started packing, put some belongings in storage before I'm on the streets next month. Section 8 housing has a wait list of 12 years currently.

Yeah, each homeless person has a story - not all are drug addicts or bums.
Welcome to America.

[chrisbgifford]

Thank you for making this video. I made the mistake of suggesting we needed more affordable housing in my area in Texas. The comments were harsh, aggressive and frightening to my safety. I realized quickly how selfish people are. It made me sad.

[maggiefisher]

i owned six homes and three businesses ...i lived to work and worked to live...became bankrupt when relatives robbed was working too hard to realise....this is the most sensible programme ive seen...i refuse to make rich people you all...xx

[CarolGasses]

“Half the stuff in the house is to take care of the house”… the house owned me. Couldn’t agree more.

[noelani]

Thank you for the compassionate view into the houseless situation in America. Im from Hawaii and it’s horrific to see native Hawaiians priced out of their own land - It’s Millionaire, Billionaire playground here.

[CliveBirse]

Keep in mind that during the 80’s people were encouraged to save due to the interest rates. Right now there’s very little incentive to save because those who are saving are watching those who are reckless taking it in. I’ve been trying to save for a home and it’s been discouraging to watch prices continue to not budge because there’s people willing to get into a mortgage where they’re paying 40% of their income. It’s insane.

[deniseferron]

I grew up in the ‘70s in a single-parent household. My sister and I fended for ourselves while my mother worked lunchtimes and evenings at a local restaurant. Poverty breeds anxiety and fear in ways that stick to the bone for the rest of your life. I can completely relate to what everyone in this video is going through, so much so that I find it hard to watch. It brings up all of that insecurity I felt and continue to feel, even though those days are now long behind me.

[queenofthebutterflies]

OMG, I just realised why I'm a hoarder. It's from when I was homeless as a teen. Wow. My prayers are with everyone who sleeps rough, I hope you're safe tonight.

[ellensstory]

The lady that built the home from Home Depot cast offs is so resourceful. She could teach lessons on how to make it in life to so many people. She reminds me of my Grandma who truly could make a treasure out of trash.

[MyCleverHandle]

The "broad spectrum" of homelessness needs to be emphasized at every opportunity. People don't believe I've been homeless off and on for ten years. They say I "don't look homeless." Well, what exactly does homeless look like? Thank you for this important video. You tell the story so well.

[littleredhen]

I adore the lady with the home depot house! Brilliantly stated, not all of us who are homeless are because of drugs, LOTS of us are earning good money at full-time jobs yet cannot afford even basic housing.

[DanikaHosa]

I loved how the gal at the Home Depot encampment explained that it's not only druggies who are homeless. I've been homeless and was blessed to have a car to sleep in. I was working 37 hours a week and couldn't save up for "first last and deposit." It's not fun, but you take it day by day and are purposeful with your finances.

[jhingbangayan]

As a former Rehab, Sub- Acute Nurse my heart goes to our homeless folks. Homelessness comes from many reasons. So don't stereotype them. Some came from divorce, injuries (permanent, long term, acute etc), poverty, mental health (depression, addiction, Schizophrenia, etc), low income, low credit scores, rent is just too high, and many other reasons. They all equally need our help, understanding, and emphaty.

[mojorising]

I had to leave my home in California after ending up homeless.

I now have my own property and live off grid living my best life in the mountains of NC.

Sad I had to leave home but I knew I had to get out of there to survive and thrive.

[dianetowles]

I can understand because I'm homeless living in VA. And me and my kids are living out of my van. But I'm still working it's very hard so I'm sending them away to school. And know I have to try and save up to get an RV. I just tried, and I'm just praying 🙏🏿 for all us homeless people all over the world that you all for making these videos.

[nhmooytis]

$1200 to live in a POD with 3 other people is INSANE 😮

[abbyabroad]

I am a teacher who was close to homeless in Florida with a master’s degree and 8 years of experience. Most teachers there had two jobs. I moved back to China where work pays me my rent + ~$300 for the part of the housing allowance I don’t use, and I make literally twice as much as I did in Florida. And since I left in 2017 the situation as everyone knows has worsened. Yet everyone I love can’t FATHOM why I don’t want to move back. Two years using check cashing places to survive was enough, thank you. There are better ways and places to live without struggle.

[chicanoinparadise]

As a native Californian born and raised, that has visited 22 countries I can tell you that where you are is the furthest thing from paradise. In fact, it is the exact hell hole I prayed to God to get me out of. And he did.

[Joshua-gmts]

Brilliant reporting, incorporating eloquent, educated interviews. Award worthy content!

[Cookieize]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. As a woman that’s been single most of my adult life and now almost 69 years old, I always have a fear of being homeless. We have to take care of our people. This could happen to anyone.