Homeless Woman May Lose Her RV Tomorrow

Wendy shared with me how overwhelming the constant threat of losing her RV was: “They’re about to come and take everything. We have nowhere to go. The safe parking lots are full, and there’s no place to park an RV.” Like so many others, Wendy was left without options, navigating a system that seems to offer more red tape than real solutions.

This is an old video I found on a hard drive featuring Wendy, who was on the verge of losing her RV in the midst of a city sweep. Sadly, I haven’t had any contact with her since this interview, which makes her story even more heartbreaking. Wendy’s situation is a prime example of how devastating displacement can be for people experiencing homelessness. When authorities push people from one area to another or seize their vehicles, they often lose contact with service providers, their community, and any support system they had.

Wendy’s frustration with service providers reflects a sentiment shared by many experiencing homelessness: “These organizations—they’re making money off the backs of the homeless. They bring us three-day-old lunches every other week, but they don’t care where we go or what happens to us.” While it’s true that nonprofits need to fix many of the internal systems, reduce bureaucracy, and streamline services to help more people effectively, the reality is that the biggest issue is beyond their control. The overwhelming crisis is that more people are entering homelessness than the system can help exit homelessness. The resources simply don’t match the scale of the problem, leaving many, like Wendy, without the support they desperately need.

It’s also important to note that Wendy was once housed. However, she didn’t receive the case management she was promised, which led to her return to homelessness. For her mental health, Wendy used painting as therapy, but when she painted a wall in the place she was staying, she was kicked out: “I don’t do drugs or drink. I paint. That’s my therapy. And for that, I was kicked out, without them even caring where I was going to go.”

This video underscores the urgent need for more resources, supportive services, and long-term solutions. Wendy’s story could have had a different ending, but without the right support in place, she, like many others, was left behind.

If you want to understand the human toll of displacement and the true face of homelessness, watch Wendy’s powerful story. We must do better. We must provide more housing and support services to prevent stories like Wendy’s from becoming the norm.

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About Invisible People

There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness.

We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

[FTW]

She is absolutely correct. They say they care but in reality they don't. They couldn't care less. It's all about their image to the more well to do part of society.

[juicyloo]

I'm a 64-year-old widow and I live in an RV too. I had to move into one when the rent in my city got too expensive, but now even the rent in RV parks is too expensive. Sometimes it's as much as an apartment. Jobs don't pay enough and gas is expensive. It's a downward spiral to extreme poverty.

[albertlaperle]

It doesn't matter what political party is in office, they ALL ignore this issue. This should be our #1 priority.

[ALLJESUSCHRIST]

No one in America should be homeless or not have food, health, and dental care!

[HeidiRobinson-ftvl]

Apparently, 78% of Americans are 2 paychecks away from being homeless.

[schawnettarobinson]

People don’t care: people are really struggling. They just need help.

[Contessa]

ONE OF MY DARKEST MOMENTS WAS HAVING MY CAR TOWED WHILE I WAS FINISHING UP RADIATION FOR BLOOD CANCER!! I AND MY DOG HAD TO SLEEP ON THE SIDEWALK BEHIND A STORAGE UNIT FOR A MONTH BEFORE A SHELTER OPENED UP!! AT THIS TIME I AM IN HOUSING AND ALMOST 4 YEARS IN REMISSION. THEY NOT ONLY WANT YOU GONE THEY WANT YOU DEAD!! 😢😢😢

[AMmporter]

We are all closer to homelessness than we know? It can happen to anyone

[tammiebroggins]

Im 60 + I'm a widow I was lucky and got a bus for me and my dogs and cat. Everyone has turned there backs on me.

[kelimike]

4:57 She is so right. And nobody is talking about it. I would like to. I have ideas. I have shared them. They are not easy, but I think they are viable.

First step: Allow people to camp upon thier own land.

The reason this is a problem, is that county inspectors will kick you off your own land and fine you until you have no land. Therefore there is NO MARKET for land to camp upon. And if you try, you will lose your land.

Acreage could be bought collectively, and camp upon it, own it, and never be driven from it. Why don't we have this in society.

Land upon which to live, should not be reserved for those who can afford to put a house on it.

Otherwise the homeless market moves to public places, and government facilities, with no method to improve.

[timothyhenry]

This world we now live in is despicable People need shelter from the elements & most people & the crooked corrupt government don’t give a darn It’s Awful what a person has to go through to just survive

[rodgerbrowning]

The sad reality 😞 is that they don't understand unless it happens to them 😢😢😢

[ssbbSephi]

the world needs to fundamentally change

[FurbyGender]

You need to stop paying the rent of your adult daughter when you are about to be fully homeless yourself. Your daughter has to make a way for her own children.

[rodgerbrowning]

The power of selfishness and greed is the problem

[HeidiRobinson-ftvl]

Finland is working on completely getting rid of their homeless problems within 3 years from now.

[katherineparris]

And also why cant your single mom daughter take care of herself? Maybe because she had children she cant afford. Ridiculous

[HighGek]

I've been homeless and it's terrible and all about survival and getting out of it. The dog would have to go and her daughter would have to pay her own rent. Plus she paints on walls she doesn't own, and not seeking out her own mental health care. Nothing but excuses. I'm not buying anything she says.

[tombkk]

Get rid of the pit bull and move in with your daughter. I know it’s hard to get rid of your animal but you need to do it.

[katherineparris]

This is ridiculous. If you cant afford to live in a house or apartment then you cant afford a pet! She is choosing to be homeless for the luxury of having a pet and thats just stupid. I love my dog but my husband and I are also extremely stable and can AFFORD to take care of him