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Living Homeless

First-hand stories of life on the street, in shelters, and out of the mainstream.

International attention was focused on our local homeless population earlier this year when the Oprah Winfrey show profiled Sacramento's so-called "Tent City." Subsequent news reports tended to oversimplify area homelessness with short quotes and soundbites. But of course each person living without a home has a unique story to tell. This series was created to document and share some of those stories. Interviews were conducted and recorded by news director Joe Barr and senior producer Paul Conley on May 30th at a services and information fair called "Homeless Connect."

Part of Series

Living Homeless: "Moms"
During her two decades of living in various Sacramento homeless shelters and on the streets, 58-year old Shirley Cliff acquired the nickname "Moms." She says giving aid to others helps ease the pain of losing her husband.
Monday, June 8, 2009
photo courtesy Sacramento News & Review
Living Homeless: Tale of Two Fathers
Rodney Frazier layed bricks for a living until an injury left him disabled and later homeless. He took custody of his 15-month old son Damarius in May. Zachary Scott is also disabled but has succeeded in putting his daughter Kishi through 5th grade.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
photo courtesy Sacramento News & Review
Living Homeless: "I Just Want To Find My Place"
When her husband died unexpectedly in 2008, Valera lost their idyllic home in the foothills. She says her short homeless life on the street, by the river and in and out of Sacramento shelters has at times been horrifying.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
courtesy Sacramento News & Review
Living Homeless: Homeless Now But Not Hopeless
Steven was once an insurance broker earning $10 thousand a month. Now he's learning life lessons on the street. He says being homeless has been a blessing.
Thursday, June 11, 2009