(Actual quotes from my own conversations.)
____________________
Where are you staying these days?
I'm at the warming room. It's warm enough at night and there's meals. Some of the staff are good there and those [community service organisation and volunteers] people. Problem is you can't sleep there. You nod off they wake you up.
So where do you sleep?
*shrugs, grins* I mostly don't. It's been 2 days. My worker is trying to find me housing.
____________________
Where are you staying these days?
Me and a friend have a tent.
Have you been in touch with your family? They're in town, right?
Yeah. We're not in touch right now.
Is that their decision or yours?
Mine. I'm not good for them right now. But my worker is trying to find me housing.
_______________
Where are you staying these days?
I was at the [motel] after the surgery, but my time ran out, so they moved me to [motel]. Time's nearly up there, too. Running out of motels.
Can't go there. The guy who put me in hospital is there. My worker is trying to find me housing.
________________
Where are you staying these days?
I was at the warming room, but I got kicked out for a week. This guy was bullying me and I lost my temper. Shouldn't have. I know better. I got a couple of nights at a motel thanks to [a church]. Don't know where I go from there. My worker is trying to find me housing.
________________
Where are you staying these days?
Couch surfing. I was in the shelter, but my 90 days were up, so now I have to be somewhere else for a month before I can get back in. So, friends' places mostly. I hang out at the [local community storefront] when I can. My worker is trying to find me housing.
________________
Where are you staying these days?
At a friend's house.
Both of you?
Yeah, on one couch. *shrugs, grins* The dog thinks it's his couch. It's not great for a marriage. But our worker is trying to find us housing.
_________________
Where are you staying these days?
With a (pause) friend.
Do you have a room there?
In the basement.
Is it warm enough?
Not really. It's an old basement. Do you have any extra blankets?
We'll get some. Is it safe there?
(pause) *shrugs* (Changes subject) Wanna get a coffee?
Sure.
__________________
Where are you staying these days?
Got a room in a rooming house.
How's it going?
Not great. I'm getting grief from the landlord. I pay on time every month. He's never had trouble with me. Now he's getting in my face for nothing just because I complained about the cameras in the hall. It's not fair. I'm scared he's gonna kick me out.
__________________
Where are you staying these days?
There's a few of us with tents. We have a spot.
Can I ask where?
*shakes head*
Ok. Are you warm enough?
Oh, yeah. At night we pile together like a bunch of puppies. My worker is trying to find me housing.
_________________
Where are you staying these days?
*shrugs* (Changes subject)
Comments