The hidden homeless: families living in hotels
Earlier this week, Robert Cohen of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch was honored in the 2010 American Society of News Editors as a finalist for his Community Service Photojournalism story titled “Motel Manor: Suburban homelessness in St. Charles County.” This insightful and disturbing collection of photos shows a side of homelessness rarely seen or considered by the outside world: hotel homelessness. By interviewing and following several struggling families living in cheap hotels, Robert shows how modern-day homelessness has taken a new form.
Click this photo to learn about a side of homelessness rarely seen or considered by the outside world: hotel homelessness.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development definition of homelessness does not include individuals living in hotels. After taking a look at the photos above and listening to the stories shared by families with nowhere else to turn, what is your opinion? Should those with only a hotel for a home be counted as homeless?
I believe that this hotel homelessness as you call it is only one step from homelessness itself.
It’s so sad that in today’s world this happens. Makes me sad
I am a mother of five, when my husband lost his employment and we took a serious of financial hits we were forced to move into a hotel. We have been living out of hotels for 4 months and just cant seem to save enough or get back on our feet.
Two of my children have been staying with friends for the last months, my other 3 are cramped into a tiny room and live on ramon noodles and tv dinners as we have a very small fridge and no cooking appliances. I am devastated and cry every night , i miss my kids and cry that my youngest says ” Mommy remember when I had a room with a poster on the wall or mommy remember my toys…Yes, I Remember, I remember all to well….I can play all the we are on a mini vacation games I want to lift there spirits but, It doesn’t mean a thing when they ask me why there sisters aren’t staying with us…where are they at? I have looked for housing help and in Florida there is none for us……
I definitely remember what it was like when we had a home.
I will pray for all the other families as I pray for my own…..
Our heart goes out to you. Please contact our Intake Manager at connie.dean@cflhomeless.org to see if we can help you with the tools you need to get back on your feet.
Ic even though im only 13 i know how you feel. My familys house was fourclosed on 4 years ago and we have lived into a hotel for 2 almost 3 years. I just want to say i hope you get out of the hotel soon. I hope your kids never have to feel like we feel everyday. My brother says the same things you child dose about remebering his room full of toys and his yellow walls. although im very greatful that my brother and sister all get to stay with us. I will pray for you and just reading you letter made me relize thay my family is not the only family that has too go through this.
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