Newsom’s order to clear encampments fails to address needs – Marin Independent Journal

It is outrageous that the Supreme Court allows states and cities to criminalize homelessness and that Governor Gavin Newsom is ordering the clearance of encampments, especially when there is not enough housing or emergency shelter for those in need.

I was homeless for six and a half years, from 2002 to 2008. I know what it’s like when no one cares about you or your living situation.

I have never pushed a shopping cart, never slept in a city park or on a sidewalk or in a tent camp, never taken drugs, and never begged. I have paid for all my food and for overnight stays in my Toyota pickup truck in state, city, and federal parks alongside tourists and recreational campers.

I worked the entire time I was homeless, mostly on computers in libraries, ran a freelance writing business, and worked as a PR consultant. I had intermittent cell reception and an email address, so most of my clients had no idea about my situation. But during the economic crisis, I couldn’t make enough money to rent a room or an apartment.

Since the length of stay at campgrounds is limited, I have moved around a lot, mostly in Southern California, by the sea and in the desert, and sometimes in Montana, where I used to live.

I met many people who were out and about and had no luck. At the entrance of a campground every morning, a school bus would pick up a child from a homeless family. One guy I met collected cans on his bike and could afford food; he never begged. He once hid his cans in a church parking lot; they were thrown away by the staff and he was told never to come back. A drug addict I knew died of hypothermia, curled up at the entrance to a store. A man I met on the campground tour was fine for a while. Then I saw him begging. He had had to sell his sleeping bag for food.

Eventually I got on welfare and became eligible for Medicare, and my situation improved. I occasionally stayed in a cheap motel. I had cataract and knee surgery and recovered in my pickup truck or a motel room.

When my income was enough to rent an apartment, but not enough money for rent and deposit, a religious organization helped me. I was on the housing benefit list for years, waiting for a subsidized social housing apartment. I finally had a shower, a washing machine and a kitchen. I got my things out of storage. When I found my old computer, TV, family photos and other memorabilia, it was like an archaeological dig of my past life.

I am 80 now and am lucky enough to receive welfare and veterans benefits. I haven’t had to rely on housing assistance for years. Homelessness seems like a long time ago. But I’ll never forget it.