"Third world conditions" an hour's drive from Hollywood
An area that was designated for 18 homeless people from California last July became a "city" of tents harbouring around 400 homeless residents from all over the US. A former resident of the refuge explains why hundreds of people are forced to live in "third world conditions", and another tells us that linking the issue to the subprime crisis is just media hype.
As publicity for "Tent City" in Ontario grew, so did its popularity. But with over 400 people sharing two hose pipes and six toilets, the sprawling encampment was at bursting point. Last Thursday the city's mayor Paul Leyon announced that the California-based refuge would be telling 230 of its residents to go back to where they came from. The "clean-up" would introduce fencing and security and a no-pets policy. And on Monday this week, police arrived to check that any non-permit-holders had been transported back to their cities.
Four-hundred people, six toilets
Posted by "patricke 123" 23 Jan. 08
"Living in tent city was hard. We’re not going back"
Tommy Adams lived in Tent City for over three months, where he married his wife, Anne.
Living in tent city was hard. You'd have to walk a five gallon bucket of water back to your camp. Nine out of ten showers were cold, and there weren't nearly enough toilets. The garbage bins were always overflowing. And the cold. That was something you couldn't escape.
It was really like living in a small village though. I knew 90% of the people. My wife and I set up a ministry, called the "Lighthouse Ministry". We called it a beacon of hope. I absolutely miss the people there. I've got a "mum" and "dad" and "brothers" there. I love those people down there. They were my family.
We've been married for four months now and got out of Tent City about two months ago. We were trying everything to get out of their. To get out you have to want it, and believe you can get it. A friend helped us out with a house, but I pay rent, I'm working now. I buy products from outlet stores and sell them on the local market. I know about six or seven people who've managed it. My life is beautiful. I've got everything I want: a beautiful wife; a house; a vehicle; a computer. I'm getting there. And I'm a productive member of society. We're not going back."
Tommy and Anne's wedding day with guests from tent city.
"I don't know anyone here forced out because of foreclosure problems resulting from the subprime crisis"
Gabriel Provencio oversees the work of an Evangelical Christian group that support residents of Tent City.
The reason the council's having to get rid of people is because you've got 400 residents with no rules. It tends to get a bit out of hand. People started coming from all over. The issue's beyond nationwide. The council just said "we can't take responsibility for everyone". So the city will be capped at 170 for those who can prove they're from Ontario with something like a birth certificate, utility bill or rent slip. The others will be transported back to the cities they come from. And then fences will be put up and security introduced. A lot of people are nervous. But it's going to clean up the environment."
Non-Ontario residents are asked to leave, 17 March 08.
Comments
Everyone seems to forget
Submitted by Donna (not verified) on Tue, 25/03/2008 - 08:17.Everyone seems to forget about the working class immigrant people who are trying to make a living here in the US and everyone is focusing on the tent city residents who have made bad choices and as a result are living there. If you would see the conditions and the people living in tent city, you would understand that they are not people who just lost their houses due to the economy (which is righteous situation). I still look at those kids who are playing in their front yards and have tent city to look at. Its just not fair to the working poor who are trying raise a family near this mess.
It's too bad they compare it
Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Sat, 22/03/2008 - 12:03.It's too bad they compare it to 3d world country conditions. All you
have to do is spend time in a 3d world country where people don't know
where their next meal is coming from and they subsist on $1 a day with
no medicine, doctors, etc.. etc... The music sounds like they're
intentionally trying to make it look like some kind of depression
tragedy.
Gabe, give me a call when you have a chance.
God bless you
dave
I agree ... this is not third world
Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Mon, 24/03/2008 - 16:32.Nobody at the camp is starving and they all have access to basic needs - food, water, some type of shelter. Take a look at the overfilling garbage cans of clothes and food nobody wanted - the stuff in those garbage cans wouldn't exist in a third world country.