Homeless Man Has Full Time Job and Still Cannot Afford Rent

Most people blame homelessness on the homeless person. It's their fault. Since it's their fault they are homeless, they can just get a job and work their way out of homelessness. In fact, the most common comment left by people to videos on this channel is "get a job." Well, Charley has a job - a good job, yet he still cannot afford rent in Los Angeles.

There is research now that shows homelessness increases at the same rate as rents increase. The leading case of homelessness is lack of affordable housing, and that's not a homeless person's fault - that is our fault for letting it get this bad.

Charlie is homeless in Pasadena. He sleeps outside almost every night. Occasionally like tonight when it's raining, he will pay for a hotel room to get inside where it's dry and warm.

Imagine waking up every morning homeless. You have to hustle to clean yourself up the best you can to be presentable at work. You stash your bedroll in the bushes hoping it will be there when you get back. You jump on a train and head to work. You spend every moment of every day scared that your employer may find out your secret. Then at the end of your shift, you take a train back to where you left your bedroll and felt safe enough to sleep outside. Now you have to start working on basic survival.

Charlie's story is far more common than anyone knows. Most "working homeless," as they are now often called, don't want people to know they are homeless for apparent reasons. It's a personal choice to speak up and talk about your own homelessness, and I give people like Charlie a lot of credit. It's stories like these that the public needs to hear. Charlie is a homeless man with a job. He is not homeless by choice.

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[diora]

My daddy used to live in a van while I stayed with my grandparents. He parked it at his buddy’s house. Now he has an apartment for me and him. 💜

[coreyandersson]

When did America become “I need 2 jobs just to survive on the streets” happen?

[djozbowflex]

I would be homeless if I lived in California. The cost of living is outrageous.

[xerejuneseve]

The rent prices are insane everywhere.This shouldn't be normal at all.

[igolfjtweetler]

$1800 a month for 1 bed apartment. I'd be on the street before paying that.

[chrissttiiee]

I just love his positive attitude & big smile! God bless Charlie 🙏

[michaelferguson]

Update: got a studio month and a half ago.This is true. I am homeless in my car. Have been for almost a year. It is very difficult. It is mostly kept a secret lest be stigmatized. Work, chess, and Sunday Holy Mass keeps me sane. It is still a mentally struggle and exhausting to hide. A concrete jurneyman who works $15/ hr because can't go long enough (3 weeks) to wait for a 1st union pay check so work temp and get paid once a week. Yes bills are still the same. Now not rent but YMCA to shower, expensive auto insurance because no home, pay for PO Box and of course pay more in gas moving around and in food. If it wasn't for prayer life would be on drugs. Thank God alive. Tried to kill myself from the dispair last summer. Now just trying to keep pushing.

[JW-uyon]

My first apartment in the early 80s was a one-bedroom that cost $300/month. Surprisingly enough, I don't recall seeing any homeless encampments back then. I wonder why???

[SUPERKITTYK]

I live in Pasadena California too..
Just lost my apartment last year..
Been homeless since then..
I work as a full time armored truck driver and ATM technician for Loomis ..
And I'm homeless now living out of my car..
Had to leave Pasadena because people are so hateful of homeless people..
Police kept harassing me ..
If they only knew that I work my ass off handling millions of dollars daily..
How ironic is that..
Can't find another apartment because landlords want triple the rent of a deposit of 1000 dollars average and it's hard to come up with that..
I lost my job as well because I can't properly shower and groom myself like I used to because I live out of my car..
My life is turning into a train wreck...
I'm not giving up ...
I'm not mad at California ..
It's just not for me I guess..
I feel so much for this guy and I reared up cause I can relate..
You can find me in glasses park area in La sleeping in my car..
I'll get myself out of this mess eventually..
I'd love to share my story for your channel sometime.
Best of luck to everyone in the same situation !

[reciestrange]

I've noticed alot of the people in these videos are still smiling through the struggle...That warms my heart and I pray they get where they want to be in life

[edmondeyre]

Some of these people who are struggling could show many wealthy people a thing or two about courage and facing adversity with a smile.

[vera_nika]

Those folks who say "get a job" are fools.
As long as people dont earn living wage work solves nothing.

[ClydM]

Maybe once a month I get 2 days in a hotel then it's back sleeping in my car, I won't give up though I've been working the entire time full-time.

[jesusislord]

Same here in Ireland... there are people in the capital Dublin working full time jobs but cannot afford rent...

[johnnylogan]

I bought an old school bus and built a tiny home off grid. I'd be homeless if it wasn't for this bus and I'll probably just stay with this. No other options at this time.

[vanessaroque]

That's why some families don't deserve anything. Where's this guys family? Friends? No one can open their home up until he gets back up on his feet? I swear people are so selfish.. Its disgusting

[lucindrapresents]

My love goes out to this man! Ten years ago I was in a shelter with my baby girl. It is so hard to start over with everything being pulled out from under your fee and have nothing. People say if you work hard then everything is fine, but what about those who work hard and everything is not fine? Why blame the one trying and struggling? Is it easier than saying "we should do better" for people like us. I love you but sadly have hate in my heart for the judges, I'm working on it, wish they would say something like that too. -me

[mr.voidout]

Welcome to LA; where working to live is living to work.
He's a strong guy, I hope he ends up in a home as sturdy as he is.

[ronaldzimmerman]

Charlie good luck my friend I hope you get off the streets.

[kalkeikuu]

This man is happy and he has nice teeth. Hope he finds permanent housing soon.