Homeless: Hiding in Plain Sight (Arlington: foreclosure, rent, car insurance) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

TwoPaychecks · 10-31-2011, 02:15 PM

Here goes.
I am currently homeless right now. As in no home structure whatsoever to dwell in. Through a series of events this happened. I am NOT on drugs (never was) or any other substance. I am near my late 30's, college educated (Bachelors) and have worked since I was old enough. When I started my own business a few years back I did well enough to support myself coupled with savings from a townhouse I sold. (Oh, how I miss that house now!)

No kids. No spouse or family. (Seriously. There ARE people with NO family--I cannot tell you how many people ask me this with total disbelief. Have you ever heard of an only child? Or parents deceased?) Yes, I have friends but the list is not a mile long nor are those few folks in hospitable situations. (Not to mention need more than a cup of sugar and as the country song goes "You Find Out Who Your Friends Are."
And I'm female. (For those who absolutely need details.)

What I want to gather from this forum is:

Are there other homeless people out there you know of personally?
(I always feel as if I'm on an island of THE NEW HOMELESS based on the fact that I'm not what is viewed as the "typical" homeless image. And if anyone knows of other homeless, how are they making it?)

Truthfully I cannot live on minimum wage or anywhere near it. I have been scraping by trying to pay my current bills (storage, car insurance--I have to sleep in the car now; terrified because it's illegal, possibly dangerous, etc.) and to get enough saved to even rent a room (have you seen the prices?!!!!) with security deposit has been challenging in the least. Now that it's cold I am panicking because even though it's irrational I think I could freeze to death out here in the next month or so.

I am hiding in plain sight, meaning I am at the library right now using their internet service dressed as I normally would (coat, scarf, hat, etc.) and I safely assume no one knows my secret. Believe it or not, it's a lot of "work" trying NOT to appear homeless.

I have sent out ions of resumes (mostly for Admin. Asst. jobs since that's been my primary background but for whatever reason this time around I'M JUST NOT GETTING HIRED. Not even interviews. I cannot for the life of me figure out why this job search is so difficult and fruitless. (Of course I realize there's a high unemployment rate/recession, but in the past I always landed a job within months if not weeks.)

Furthermore:

Yes, the homeless shelters are there.

Yes, they're crowded/at full capacity (and as they should, women & children are first priority).

No, one cannot stay there freely; 21 days max usually. Not to mention there are ions of strings attached. (For instance, one has to prove they live in a particular county to be able to stay at their homeless shelter but if you're homeless you have no set address; gets beyond tricky...)

Are there any church parking lots available (they do this often in CA.) for the homeless (w/ cars) to park at?? I'm running out of places to discreetly park. (And if someone has an answer to this, please send me a private message for obvious reasons.)

I'm trying to keep my head up but it's getting increasingly difficult. I feel like an oddball in society. My savings are dried up and I am running out of steam.

Resources, positive feedback are greatly appreciated.

oneasterisk · 10-31-2011, 02:28 PM

Sorry to hear about your current situation. If you could give us your general area, maybe someone could recommend a program or shelter to help get you back on your feet.

All I can say is keep your chin up and don't give in to despair. Things will get better.

ShannonMilligan · 10-31-2011, 02:54 PM

I too am sorry to hear about your situation. Not that this is an answer, but I just read an article where people in...? can't remember which state, are homeless and some of them are parking their cars in Walmart parking lots being careful to buy one little item each day so that they are paying customers.

Have you checked with the Red Cross? Checked with other churches in the area?

Here is the info for Loudoun County Emergency Services for Homeless: Homeless Shelter and Prevention Services (http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1325 - broken link)
At the bottom of this link is the info on Good Shepard Church which offers help as well.

Check with Interfaith Relief Food Bank for food

beatlecrazy · 10-31-2011, 02:58 PM

I am very sorry about your situation. As far as jobs go, the company I am with is always hiring. I could try to help you as far as that goes. But I am not sure where you are located. The church that we go to probably wouldn't mind leaving cars in their lot, but their parking lot backs right up to a business office so a lot of those people will use the lot already.

A couple other people here have made very good recommendations as far as other options for you, and assistance.

Caladium · 10-31-2011, 03:20 PM

I don't know if this is helpful, but I've heard that sometimes campgrounds will let you camp for free in exchange for a few hours of volunteer work. I'm not sure how you find out about this, but maybe someone at the campgrounds in PW Park could steer you.

EuroExpat · 10-31-2011, 04:38 PM

Sorry to hear about your situation. Have you considered live-in elder care or nanny? Doesn't pay much but puts a roof over your head and often food on your plate. How about the military?

ChristineVA · 10-31-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EuroExpat

Sorry to hear about your situation. Have you considered live-in elder care or nanny? Doesn't pay much but puts a roof over your head and often food on your plate. How about the military?

I'm thinking at late-30s, the military isn't going to take her, but the nanny gig or elder care sounds good. My guess is that it won't be easy to start with that. Especially the nanny business. Once they start realizing that she has no fixed address or home, it's probably not going to go well.

modelpenguin · 10-31-2011, 05:23 PM

very sorry to hear about your current situation. this website might offer some tips for helping you: The Girl's Guide to Homelessness also, have you looked into temp jobs? often those can lead to a full time position. and as EuroExpat mentioned, you can post an ad on Craigslist saying you would like a room in exchange for caring for someone, or taking care of a farm/animals, etc. best of luck.

Teebyrd86 · 10-31-2011, 05:39 PM

Get at me I can get you a job.. as far as a place to live people rent out rooms here all the time it is the norm here.. once you land a job that shouldnt be much of a problem. If I were you I would be looking at jobs 24/7. I am sorry to hear about your situation but know you are not alone. Let me add.. since you have car have you ever thought of driving somewhere a bit less expensive than Nova.. sometimes jobs can be an issue but it is a thought. Best wishes!

Carlingtonian · 10-31-2011, 06:02 PM

So sorry to hear about your situation. I don't know anyone who is homeless, but I'm sure it's not hard for this to happen to someone--a lost job, some big medical bills, a sudden increase in rent, a foreclosure.

As to where to park, the only thing I can suggest would be near some big-box stores.

Hopefully whatever job Teebyrd is offering will work out for you.

If it doesn't, then it may help your job search to just make up an address to list on applications. (But make sure it's not a real address first!) How often does a fast-food place verify your address? The only way it could come back to bite you is if they sent your W-2 there in January. But by then, hopefully you'd have found someplace and could tell them you've changed your address.

I would focus on fast-food places--or possibly Goodwill. They have a lot of programs for folks in your situation or similar.

Oh, the Mt. Olivet Methodist Church on N. Glebe in Arlington (Ballston Metro) feeds homeless people on some weekends. I would contact them to ask when the next one is.

Take care, and best of luck.