Preview of new article about homelessness

This is an interview I conducted a week ago with a man at one of the shelters in town. In it, I think one can get a sense of how the homeless are faring in Indianapolis. Keep in mind that this is only one voice and everyone I've talked to is extremely diverse in their situations and reactions. This is meant to be informative and I hope it sheds a but of light on a problem every city faces.

*Pseudonym for purpose of the interview – Mike

Mike’s* a stocky guy with a buzzed head and a cursive script tattoo on his neck that’s faded to illegibility. He’s been in a gang since he was a young teen, has two children, and was in jail for 18 months at age 26. He has large bags under his eyes and a forlorn, despondent look. But, behind that look, there’s a certain unidentifiable pride and fearlessness. Mike speaks out of the left corner of his mouth with a long drawl and answers in short, clipped sentences.

NUVO: How long have you been coming to Horizon House?

Man 2: I’ve been coming since ’09.

NUVO: How long have you been homeless?

Man 2: Off and on for two years.

NUVO: What’s your story?

Man 2: I came out of prison. No family up here. I got a bother and sister, but they live pretty much far from here.

NUVO: Why were you in prison?

Man 2: For battery, possession of dope, and possession of a handgun.

NUVO: What services have you been using at Horizon House?

Man 2: Medical, showers, phones, wash my clothes.

NUVO: Where do you stay?

Man 2: Actually on the streets.

NUVO: On the streets? Do you have a little spot?

Man 2: Under the bridge.

NUVO: So tell me, who are you, who were you, all that.

Man 2: I’m from Brownsville, Texas. I moved up here when I was about 12 years old. Both of my parents are deceased now. I was born in the gang life. Been a gang member since I was about 13. Like I said, I came up here when I was 12. Lived on the Southside all my life. Started getting in trouble and I came up here when I was about 13 – stealing cars, breaking in to houses, robbing people. Been to juvenile, been to boy school, satellites, boot camp. Then age 16, I had my first baby. She’ll be 13 the 27^th (of Nov.).

I mean, I’ve had my own house before. The first house I bought, I was 19 years old. And then, age 21, actually 20, was my first time going to jail up here. That was for a PI. Then around age 22, 23 my other son was born, age 23. I was with my baby’s momma for four years and then 23, 27. Let me see, I went to prison. Came out the age of-I did 18 months.

NUVO: Was that your first time in prison?

Man 2: Mhmm.

NUVO: How old were you?

Man 2:

Let’s see I’m 30 now (long pause). 2011 (trails off). Went to prison in ’07. So, that’d make me 26. Then I came out, had nowhere to go, walking around the city. Then, I finally went down to Delaware Mission where the mission actually was. And I was there for a couple days. Then, I ran to my Mexican brother. Stayed with him four about 3 or 4 months. Then went homeless again. On the streets. Taking care of business. Come here. Do my thing at Horizon House. Wash my clothes. Shower. I actually had a job when I was homeless this past year working at the car wash over here. Lost that job.

NUVO: Why did you lose it?

Man 2: I had a death in the family and I didn’t let them know I was leaving. Then, I went back to Texas. Then, I came back up here. So, unfortunately, I’ve been homeless, like I said, off and on for two years now. I mean, I got places where I hit and go. Stay with a friend here. Stay with a friend there. Most of the time, I’m under a bridge over here. So.

NUVO: Is enough being done in Indianapolis for homeless people? Are there enough places to stay? Is there enough to eat?

Man 2: Food-wise, yes. Places, no.

NUVO: No? Have you ever had trouble finding a place to stay?

Man 2: Sometimes, yeah.

NUVO: What do you do in those cases?

Man 2: I just go back under the bridge where I come from. If I can’t get a shelter or nothing, I’ll just go back down there.

NUVO: As far as places to wash your clothes, free medical clinics, is there enough of that?

Man 2: No, I think there should be more. But, I think they got them here. I mean, they got them all over town, but sometimes they’re just so far away some people can’t even get to them.

NUVO: Have you ever had that problem?

Man 2: No, I come for my medical. If I really need medical, man, I’ll walk to the hospital.

NUVO: What else could be added to the services? What do we need more of in Indianapolis for the homeless population?

Man 2: Honestly, more shelters. I think they should put enough more to where they can like a halfway house for people they can bring off the streets. You know? And help them out. Help them out with their addictions. Drug addictions, sexual addictions, gambling addictions, alcohol addictions.

NUVO: Do you see a lot of homeless that are addicted.

Man 2: (quietly) A lot.

NUVO: And how do you feel about that?

Man 2: I mean, it’s sad to see, but there ain’t nothing I can do. I wish I could, but I can’t.

NUVO: So, what else. You’ve experienced it first-hand.

Man 2: I mean, there should be a lot more clothing, clothing pantries for homeless people. You know, to where they can go in and get a couple outfits here and there when they need them. Like this time of the year, it’s hard to get clothes. Sometimes you miss out to where, you know, they’ll come out and you’re not there, then, you’ll just miss out on the whole thing.

NUVO: What about trying to find a job? Are you trying to find one right now?

Man 2: Oh yeah. So far, it’s looking good. Cause I’m close, if I move to the Southside he’ll give me a job.