You pass by them all the time and yet you probably never gave them a thought. I know I didn’t. They’re invisible, you know. Or at least they were to me until I discovered them. But even though you don’t see them you can probably find them in most towns and cities in the U.S. Who are they?
They are the “motel homeless” who live in low budget motels that offer weekly and monthly room rentals. O sure, they have a roof over their heads, but can you really call that a home? We’ve seen as many as 9 people living in one room. Imagine what that would be like day after day.
These motel homeless people work at temp jobs, low wage jobs, short term jobs or no jobs. Some are disabled or elderly. Others have injuries or conditions that aren’t serious enough to qualify for disability, but make it more difficult to find a job. Most of the ones who work are at jobs where they don’t get paid if they don’t show up to work. If they get sick, they’re in trouble.
Even in a good week, the room rent eats up 80 -90% of their income. Some weeks they come up short because they continually have to choose between rent, food and medicine.
Just like homeless people on the street, they defy stereotypes. I have met former business owners, published authors and people with college degrees at these motels. And, just like their less educated neighbors, they are subject to the great equalizer of hardship.
In the last two years I can’t count the number of motel homeless people who said to me, “I never thought I would end up like this.” It seems that once they get knocked down to living like that, one thing after another goes wrong to keep them there. For example, Christina and Michael had already been at one of the motels longer than they had planned when Michael was rushed to the hospital vomiting blood and with blood sugar levels of over 300. His recuperation will take a while. Until then, Christina, with two small children, is frantic with worry about what to do.
Most of them pay more in room rent than they would if they had an apartment, but because of job instability, bad (or no) credit and the inability to put together the money for a security deposit, they are stuck until they can grab that extra blessing that lets them make the move.
Yet despite the hardships, the people I’ve met in these motels have shown me an incredible resilience and faith. I have seen a tenacity and toughness that inspires me, and I see the the hand of God working on my heart as I learn anew the lesson of gratitude for all things. The people we serve at these motels are so grateful for some laundry detergent or toilet paper that I am humbled and ashamed of myself for the things I take for granted.
Since Teens Opposing Poverty began its motel ministry in 2009, I have been inspired, heart-broken, and blessed as I have shared in the lives of these wonderful people who are no longer invisible to me. I pray they will no longer be invisible to you.
God’s grace to you,
Steve Jennings
Steve,
It is so true that we miss alot of folks inside budget motels because they are often out of sight, ergo, out of mind. It is so inaccurrate to make generalities. Some folks are those who have stumbled upon hard luck. many pf the budget motel folks I meet are those persons who have intentionally made a career of systematically calling churches and social groups for money. these folks have no desire to work. their idea of future is for someone else to foot the tab on thier irresponsible life style. Again, this is not a blanket statement for all persons, but we remember that all folks are not victims, except maybe, victimes of their own choices. Overcoming one’s desire for self detrimental and societal debilitating choices is quite extraordinary.
Your point is true, Mike. At one of the motels we serve, half of the residents relied on charities for their rent. Some of them are in truly difficult situations and can’t find another way, but others are just working the system. In our ministry, when it comes to providing the food, toiltetries, paper products, school supplies, etc. we act on grace, but we screen very carefully when helping with rent. The managers we work with are very cooperative in helping us sort out the ones who are taking advantage of the generosity of others.
Steve-
It is understood that this ‘vicious cycle’ continues and the government and whatever ‘systems’ in which these families find themselves have a hard time finding and picking up on those who need help. I have two questions: #1 how does one FIND these families? I would assume that, to a non-hotel employee it would be difficult to find these families in order to lend a hand in some way. #2 in what ways could the body of Christ step in to help without getting int he way of social services or another group like that. It would be so easy to put a bandaid on situations like these and move on…but I would be interested to learn how Christ has called you and your ministry to be the hands and feet of the Savior in these cases.
Erin, here are some thoughts on your two questions: #1. We find the long term families through whatever places they call for rental assistance. A surprising number of them don’t avail themselves of resources at social services, and because they don’t live in a “permanent dwelling” they may not qualify for some services. In Winchester, someone called our office for rental help. In Front Royal, where we are researching the motel ministry, people call churches and are referred to the ministerial association. Once we find motel from which there have been some calls, we contact the managers and try to confirm that there are some longer term families living there. We also try to contact one of the families that has requested rental help. Then we get permission from the manager to begin the ministry. #2. The most important thing we can do is to encourage, befriend, educate, listen and share the Good News of Jesus. We open the door for this by bringing food (prepared meals and/or groceries), toiletries, paper products, laundry supplies, school supplies, diapers, etc. We are meeting material needs but we can also be there to help people pull out of their situation. For example, Pam G. is one of the residents who has become a friend to us. She has been really down at times and ready to give up, but we encouraged her. When she had an opportunity for a job we prayed for her and with her. When she got the job, we rejoiced with her and offered any help she needed in managing her money. Within a few months she will have her own place. In a nutshell, that’s what we do.
Thank you for noticing the Poor. One of the bigger issues for us is loneliness. You wouldn’t think that as large a group of people as come to the Park would be lonely, but, there’s a lotta islands out there. Your group is one of the best at Monroe Park for taking the time to get to know us. I pray every week that more church groups take the time it takes to do this. Thank you, Josh, and all the kids that help out, for your incredible work.
you know steve i wanted to take a moment to thank you and everyone at top. i was one of those people living in a motel not sure where mine and my kids next meal was going to come from. and wondering what i was gonna do with two small babys and what seemed like a hopeless situation but than god sent me you my angel. and since all your help i am now in a nice home going to school full time and working and i wouldnt be here right now with my 4 beauitful kids if it wasnt for all of you guys help. thank you so much steve a lot of these stories made me cry cuz i know what its like to go hungry so that your kids can eat and to do things you regret to make sure your kids are fed and have diapers and a warm plac to sleep. i love you dearly steve and thank god everyday for you my nagel and all the rest of my angels in top. thank you guys i can never begin to express how much you guys mean to me .