Homelessness in the Ozarks is a problem that most people of aware of, even if it is only on a very small level. You can see the man holding the sign by the interstate. You can see the woman sitting with her bags on the street. You can see the line outside of the shelter or kitchen. What you don’t see is the story of those people. Kathleen is 65 years old and homeless and she has a story.
Living out of her truck in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart in Springfield, Kathleen only receives $16 in food stamps each month plus some government assistance. Kathleen says that it isn’t enough to live on so for now, the truck is their home. They did attempt to live in low income housing but after she was unable to pay her bills she was evicted, Kathleen says.
“Before the end of the month we are still always out of money,”
Currently, Kathleen is stranded in Springfield with no money awaiting a court date for tickets for having pets without proper shot collars in her truck. Once the ticket is settled, Kathleen hopes to travel to a reservation in Ar. Once there, Kathleen, who is half Cherokee, says she will be able to purchase land at a discounted price that adds up to about 1 month’s income.
Until the City of Springfield closed it, Kathleen was staying at the New Evangelistic Center’s homeless tent shelters in Springfield. . She explains that the homeless occupying that area don’t necessarily fall under the typical stereotypes.
“You would be surprised how many people here have jobs,” Kathleen said. “We’re not who people think we are.”
Kathleen speaks highly of the other homeless people she has met. She says their situations have bonded them closely together.
“We are just like you,” Kathleen said. “Except we don’t have homes.”
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