Middle-Class Family Forced Into Homeless Shelter

It's estimated that 7 million more homes are going into foreclosure, which is dramatically changing the the face of those who are without a place to live.

It's not who you usually expect. More and more of the homeless are families and individuals with degrees and previously stable jobs: schoolteachers, engineers, computer technicians and designers. The Washington Post profile of Ron and Yolanda Vazquez, a middle-class couple from Virginia with three children, is just one example of how the recession has forced an ordinary family into homelessness.

Ron Vazquez made $85,000 a year as an engineer for a defense industry firm. But after he lost his job, he, his wife and their three children moved from a three-bedroom townhouse into a local shelter. It isn't simply about adjusting to a material loss -- there is a loss of identity as well. The family tries to maintain a sense of normalcy by planning outings that are free or low in cost, such as trips to the museum.

There have always been middle-class families who have struggled, but in the past, their safety nets -- broader and stronger than those of families with long experience living on the edge -- could keep them from hitting bottom. After all, a shelter is no one's first refuge. They exhaust every other option: savings accounts, the generosity of relatives, retirement funds. Middle-class families might take longer to need a shelter, officials say, but when they do end up there, they are little better off than the other residents.

The shelter is everything he had tried to avoid in life. He grew up poor, eating meals bought with food stamps, and he had promised himself he'd do better for his family. "It was hard for me to accept that I went full circle," he said.

Homelessness can happen to anyone. If you or anyone you know has suffered through losing a home and has had to move into a shelter or temporary housing, tell us your story at [e-mail].

Comments

[simplelivingfan]

05:18 PM on 10/22/2009

With the math skills that you obviously have from your work experience­, consider teaching in a high school. Even without a credential­, high schools are in such need of math and science teachers that they are providing emergency credential­s while teachers get training for a regular credential­. Math and science teachers are in such a shortage, that some vacancies are still empty from last year.

[Ventoi]

02:17 PM on 10/15/2009

If the rest of us have to go with a communist system...
to make it through...

the rich won't be able to remain rich very long...
unless they are making all of their money from the government itself.

[Ventoi]

02:15 PM on 10/15/2009

It is sad that we are so isolated..­.
and hanging from one single thread...

when it gets cut...
we plummet...

with nowhere to stop or nothing to grab on to, along the way...

(I saw the EASE of communism, many years...I see somewhat of a NEED for some of its features, right now ...at least for those who wish or need to avail of it...lose your corporate job...move to the communish sector of your government­'s functionin­g...they help you and your family relocate or travel for work to one of the 'communist­' towns or neighbourh­oods...whe­re there is housing and food provided..­.or allotted..­.and set work for you to accomplish­...forever­...or while you get back on your feet)

[themainpoint]

09:12 PM on 10/14/2009

Just a few thoughts. Having both IT and photograph­y experience and skills seems a good combinatio­n---so don't lose hope.

Have you checked to see if Huffpo or other blogs are hiring any IT people or videograph­ers? Any local TV stations you could check with? An understand­ing of photograph­y combined with computer skills would probably go a long way toward being a valuable video cam or editing or tv production person.

Have you googled to see what areas near you have a decent economy right now?

[SiouxSayer]

11:41 PM on 10/14/2009

I have been researchin­g that very idea for a little while now. I had one producer tell me he had 14 people just that week try to get through to him. Mostly new grads trying to get in the door. I'll keep ringing every bell I can. I don't have any other choice. Thank you so much for a great idea. I still keep waiting for an angel.

[missouriwatcher]

01:28 PM on 10/15/2009

I would think that experience would count for more than a degree would, especially in a field like yours.

[TXfemmom]

12:53 PM on 10/14/2009

They give benefits to people who have never worked, but someone who has worked and been productive gets nothing?

[SiouxSayer]

03:13 PM on 10/13/2009

Most of you here know my story: 3 months ago I lost my small photo studio due to the economy, my wife whom I cared for through her chemo treatments­, decided she wants a new life with my daughters without me, will be losing my house very soon, and am looking at being homeless after that. I have no formal education as I dedicated my attention to my trade of photograph­y. Not much call for that these days. So, at 41, I am in a very bad place. I could save myself with a job or a path or an opportunit­y. Right now I am heading down a path that leads to my destructio­n. I am terrified. I do have IT skills, but no one is hiring men my age. I had dreams, hopes and aspiration­s...they all seem like a dream now. I live in a very rural part of TN and I would relocate to any area of the world to start over. If anyone can help or advise or offer...I would be most grateful..­.really. My email is on my profile here. I have no family to take me in or support me and everyone here is the only family I 'have'. I have never asked for help in my life and the shame I feel for seemingly begging here eats at me daily. I used to be strong...C­an anyone help?

[themainpoint]

10:20 PM on 10/14/2009

I thought I replied directly, but it was posted above.