When Robert and his wife moved away from Las Vegas in search of a better life, they never thought they'd end up homeless in LA's notorious Skid Row district. But that's exactly where they are today.
Rather than stay in shelters or an SRO (single room occupancy hotel), Robert and his wife choose to stay outside on the streets. Shelters, he said, separate men and women, and SROs are downright nasty (he's right; I know from experience!). Furthermore, the hotels that accept welfare vouchers tend to attract crime, drugs, sex offenders, parolees, and gangs.
The day we met it was his wifes birthday, but they weren't celebrating. They were spending the day waiting in line for services at a homeless drop in center.
I dont have words for to describe Skid Row. Los Angeles' police chief called Skid Row the worst social disaster in America. To me, the most accurate depiction of Skid Row can be found on the links below. Please take a moment to watch the first and fifth video. Theyre short, but very powerful.
Can this really be America?
http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Features/on_skid_row_introduction
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3hots&aacot Liz & Connie use to bake all night and we would catch a bus or ride with friends to take dinners down town for the homeless. I have footage of LA now and the hopelessness on the streets of the city give as good as they get. They get shoved out of their homes in many instances, and by talking to them we heard many stories. A project is in the making to be released soon on the homeless let's hope its not fantasy, cusz these guys need help while the war just keeps on costing Americans $
Keither9 2 years ago