Homeless Shelters Made This Man Sick! He’s 72 Living in a Tent

Thomas is making the best out of living on the streets in San Diego, but at 72 years old, he shouldn’t be homeless. We learned after this interview that Thomas is a veteran, which validates even more Thomas should not be spending his senior years homeless. No one, young or old, should be homeless. Thomas says you could not pay him to stay in a homeless shelter. He says shelters made him sick, and his health didn’t get better until he went back outside in a tent. Thomas wants to go into an apartment, but he shares that the housing being offered to the elderly is rundown and not suitable to live in or they take most of his Social Security money, leaving him nothing to live on. Sadly, Thomas is just one of many seniors that cannot afford housing. The issue of elderly homelessness in America is a growing and disconcerting crisis that underscores systemic shortcomings in both healthcare and social support networks. Often falling through the cracks of an already burdened system, elderly individuals face unique challenges such as declining physical health, increased medical needs, and social isolation. Traditional support systems like pensions or family structures are increasingly insufficient while skyrocketing healthcare costs and a lack of affordable housing contribute to the complexity of the problem. The vulnerability of this demographic is further exacerbated by their susceptibility to physical and emotional abuse and even exploitation. This crisis is not only a tragic reflection of societal values but also a critical issue that demands immediate, comprehensive, and compassionate solutions. The current situation is a clear call to action for policy changes that address the root causes of homelessness, particularly among the elderly, who are one of the most vulnerable populations in society. More stories: Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego’s Failed Response to a Homeless Crisis Elderly Homeless Man Worked All of His Life Just to End up on the Streets of Los Angeles ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: Invisible People’s website: Support Invisible People: Sign up for our newsletter: Invisible People’s Social Media: Mark Horvath’s Twitter: About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on , and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.