A Californian woman says she is forced to sleep in her car
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High house prices in one of the wealthiest US cities have forced increasing numbers of women and elderly people to sleep in their cars.
According to organizers of a program that makes it possible for the homeless to sleep safely in their cars at night, more people are living in their cars in the city of Santa Barbara, while many of them even hold part time jobs.
The organizers believe the high house prices, which average at around $1 million, are driving many people to bed down for the night in their vehicles in the exclusive coastal city.
New Beginnings is the organizer of the program. It runs 15 car parks that open from 7pm to 7am in the rich city allowing the homeless to park at night.
New Beginnings Coordinator Nancy Kapp said the demand for the program was growing due to the economic recession. “The way the economy is going, it’s just amazing the people that are becoming homeless. It’s hit the middle class,” she said.
Meanwhile, New Beginnings Executive Director Gary Linker also said that one third of the people who use the program have part-time jobs.
MJ/PA
Thu, 22 May 2008 11:15:43
Source: Press TV