OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – We’ve heard from law enforcement, politicians and nonprofit organizations on the issue of homelessness, and now a man who is homeless.
Stanley Churchwell is packing up his tent. The police are here to make sure everyone living on the streets around 17th and Nicholas Streets pack up and move on.
“We just cleaned up this street and asked the people who were throwing their trash there to leave the area, and since we cleaned it up, the property owner has asked us to leave,” Churchwell said.
Churchwell says people without shelter have become more visible in our community, and they’re on the streets for a number of reasons.
“This is a pandemic, and if you don’t take the time to care for your fellow human being,” Churchwell
Churchwell says there are people without shelter who are dealing with mental health issues, and addiction. Churchwell admits part of his problem is of his own doing.
“It’s a rough life. I’m not proud of my life. I made my mistakes, I served my time trying to make a better place for myself, and I can’t do that if people don’t want to give me a chance,” he said.
Churchwell says caring for the homeless would mean some type of grants to help get them off the streets, into homes, and find jobs. He says his definition of affordable housing is not the same as those numbers quoted in the mainstream.
“You can’t find affordable housing with the minimum wage. Way it is, you’re always worried about the bills. Around 3 or 4 hundred dollars a month, and that’s not feasible in Omaha, as you’re looking at $850 for a one-bedroom studio apartment,” he said.
Stanley has heard about talks of handing out fines and jail time to those who continue to make camp on public property, but he says that won’t work.
“You guys are already complaining about overcrowded jails and prisons. Where’s a homeless person going to come up with $300? He can’t even barely come up with meals.”
Churchwell doesn’t believe the voices of the homeless are being heard, and more people out here should speak up if things are ever going to change.
Churchwell says most likely he’ll just move his tent to another spot; he says he really doesn’t feel comfortable living in a shelter.
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