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Homeless living in cars

© Compiled by Bea Sheftel with references

What if you had a good job but were living just above your means? And then you were laid off and couldn't pay the rent on your apartment? What would you do? Would you be too proud to go to a homeless shelter? Afraid to mingle with the people at a shelter? Some people have given up their homes due to financial problems, but keep their cars and use them to live in.

James Thalman wrote about people in Utah who have taken to living in their cars. These are the new homeless, working men and women who have been laid off due to the recession. Some are down financially due to divorce, and some are college students.

It isn't only in Utah. I remember the homeless situation when I attended the University of Connecticut. There were several students living in their cars right in the parking area. The college wanted to evict them, but where would the students go? They had skrimped and saved enough for an education, utilized whatever loans were available and still didn't have money for a place to live. Besides, the dorms, which were at least affordable, were full.

One young man lived in an old 1960's silver bullet camper. He hooked up his electricity to the light pole in the lot. Another had only a two door car, and another pitched a tent until security took it down while he was in class.

According to James Thalman, a reporter for the Deseret News, car living has been going on since the 1930's, but never in such large quantities. And it isn't just in Utah or Connecticut,but all over the country. The numbers of people living in their cars has increased over the last six months.

They can be found at all night shopping centers, library parking lots, and other parking areas. The all night shopping centers are a favorite because of the availability of the bathrooms, and food. Municipal areas are paroled by the police and those living in their autos are rousted and told to move on or risk being arrested.

So the all night parking centers and shopping centers are the best bets for those with long term problems. I remember going up to L.L. Bean in Maine. They had a well-lighted parking lot. I was amazed at the amount of campers staying the night, and in at least one case, staying the week. The store was open 24 hours. There were clean bathrooms, and food available. During spring and summer it was fine, but winter's in Maine are brutal. The homeless go somewhere else.

The copyright of the article Homeless living in cars in Homelessness is owned by Compiled by Bea Sheftel with references. Permission to republish Homeless living in cars in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.