Homeless Man Blogs About Being Homeless

Posted on February 27, 2006

The Greensboro News & Record has an article about a blog called View from the Sidewalk which discusses the problem of homelessness. The blog is run by Michael Brown who is currently homeless himself.

Brown, who works part time at a Kohl's store, said he has been looking for other work. He was a graphic designer for 13 years until he was fired from a job in 2003 -- for what reason, Brown said, he doesn't know. He hasn't been able to find another job in the field and has worked various jobs or freelanced since.
The bills began to mount, and eviction came Feb. 9 for the family, which includes Brown's wife, 17-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter. A 20-year-old son is already on his own.
The family packed as much as they could into a 16-foot truck, and the contents of their home are now in a 10-by-20-foot storage space.

In his latest post Brown offers a warning about how quickly a person can become homeless.

My point is that this can happen to any of us, at any time. My downfall was lack of money (and a modicum of poor planning) that led to eviction. But homelessness can come just as quickly under other circumstances. A fire. A tornado. A prolonged illness. Bankruptcy. Layoff. Job outsourcing. Incompetent political leaders. A meteor. The list goes on. It is easier than you think to have a house fulll of stuff one day and be living on the street less than a day later.
Homelessness can come like lightning (or by lightning...) Be vigilant.

Michael Brown is homeless but he is able to blog regularly. The News & Record says Brown usually blogs at the Greensboro Public Library's Central Branch. The article quotes Michele Forrest who says Brown is providing a valuable service by giving the perspective of a homeless person.

Michele Forrest, a blogger and a member of the Homeless Prevention Coalition of Guilford County, said Brown's words offer an invaluable critique of the region's homeless services. Lots of advocates discuss homelessness, but the input of the homeless is crucial, she said.
"The voice of the homeless is definitely missing," she said.

Brown's posts about being interviewed in the paper can be found here and here.