The chasm between rich and poor - Homeless in the wealthy West | DW Documentary

It's not a shame to be homeless. It is a shame for society to allow this to happen.

I am fortunate to have a home in rural Australia and I also have a small unit. I have a lady tenant who is 70ish and on pension and recently diagnosed with cancer . In the last year rents have gone up (I have decided not to put it up) and my accountant said I should sell the unit to pay off my house but I have decided I want to look after my tenant as she is an older lady and has cancer and has not had an easy life. If I sold it, someone may make her move out. So I keep the unit And told her she has the place for as long as she wants and I won’t put up rent any more. This felt really good to me. I am forgoing some income from higher rent but the feeling of being able to help someone be safe and secure far surpasses that. I have suffered mental health And so I understand the fact that things can be challenging for people Anyway - for anyone out there who can afford to be a “custodian” for someone by keeping your investment property rent reasonable or whatever, it’s a nice feeling and one of the things I’m proud of in my life. So I would encourage anyone else who can help others in this way to do it.

Before people start judging the people in this video, be kind. Homelessness can happen to any of us at any time. A major illness, a catastrophic fire or flood, job losses, domestic abuse, or financial bad luck can render us in the same situation. Everyone doesn't have a safety net of family, resources, economic stability, financial means, or mental capabilities to bounce back. Be kind.

In 1999, I rented a one bedroom apartment in Los Angeles for $550.00, that same apartment is now going for $2400.00 per month with zero upgrades, the building is old. Greed should be illegal.

As an African Man who is living in Kenya - I am beyond words to see these women (Over 50) close to my Mom's age, struggling to find a place to live as their own homes. Here in Africa, we may not have such wealthy governments, but the social setting, especially from my Somali community, would never allow an over 50 Year Woman to live in a car. Somehow, even if it is the children of her Brother/Sister even if she never had kids, he would come up with something to shelter her. Just like I wouldn't wanna see my Mama living alone in a car, I am praying for these special Mamas who are not giving up but pressing in tears. Literally in tears as I pen this piece. Hopefully, their stories will be heard, and the Australian government will come up with an amicable plan. Capitalism might also be a contributing factor. It is seriously absurd to hear a mother say, "My children are busy with their lives."

Its such a relief to FINALLY see representation in a documentary. To the 71 year old woman who's mother hated her, i feel her story so much. I wish i could hug her. ❤ Im a 47 year old woman in Canada. I've been insecurely housed and homeless most of my life. I'm estranged from my entire family, and have moved over 60 times. I havent celebrated holidays for many years. There is no security. There is no care on the part of our governments. I live in a room right now, and enrolled in college to become a social worker/educator to try to address these problems through policy. Things need to change.

Being a single retired woman living in a rental is a recipe for future homelessness. We need tiny homes for single people in all communities.

Homelessness scars you in a way nothing else does. It kills your soul. You realize that you don't live in a society & are just collateral damage. It scars you forever & ever. You're never the same.

Imagine if we focused more on affordable housing than greed. What a different world this would be.

I'm a 51-year-old American woman in Kentucky, I am not homeless but, I have been very close to it for most of my life. It is my greatest fear and is on my mind all the time. Much love to you all xoxox

To try and understand what homelessness is like, I tried living in my car. I would shower at the gym and wash my clothes in a laudromat. It was not fun, but now I think that I am a more compassionate person. When I see someone on the streets, I ask them if there is something that I can do. It might just be giving them a few bucks. No one should have to beg. We all need to do something about this growing problem.

I can relate so much to that lady that said...."I don't think I have the strength emotionally to move again" I'm at that place now, I live in Canada and I'm 70 years old. I don't have the energy to even think about holidays anymore. Living with the constant threat of homelessness is anxiety inducing, numbing, immobilizing . Even when you find a place to rent, so many landlords here in Canada are very abusive and there is NO WHERE to report them without the repurcussion of eviction. It's like living in an abusive marriage. Make property available with washrooms so that people can park their vans, campers etc. without the fear of being harassed. Tiny house villages are an amazing idea but governments need to get off their collective asses. Thank you for posting this

I am a homeless woman in South Carolina, USA. I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to you all, and those all over the world. You are brave. May peace, love and light be with you ALL.✌️❤️☀️

Now there criminalizing homelessness here in the US now. Arresting someone for being poor. Where has humanity gone!

The US has no safety net. I am 57 and was homeless for 3 yrs. Now I'm in an apt. Working, and anxious all the time. Don't trust I'll have a roof over my head for long.

These ladies are so brave to share their stories. I hope and pray that they all find their own homes🙏

I'm a paycheck away from being homeless. It's very stressful. I have nightmares often.

I’ve lived in my caravan for 7 years. My husband and I were going to travel, then he got ill. He passed in 2020 and I have lived in my caravan alone since then. I live in Alaska and have spent the last 4 winters with no electricity or heat. This last winter I was plugged in and it was MUCH nicer😉😉. No one understands that I PREFER living this way, even in the winter. It’s my cozy little home with no one above, below or next to me. I’m 53.

I brought an electric candle (and a stuffed animal) with me to the 40 places I moved over 3 years, after losing everything and being displaced by a wildfire, and becoming homeless. A little warm glow in the unfamiliar dark helps immensely.

I am 74. This video scared me to death. My heart goes out to these courageous women. While I am safe and have my own small home, I can’t help but worry about aging women around our world who don’t have such a blessing. Now that many people are able to work remotely, there has to be more opportunities to turn unused buildings into shelter/homes for older, disenfranchised persons.