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Sunday, July 4, 2021

Opinion: Busting a few myths about homeless people by someone who is homeless - oregonlive.com

Denise Martin

Martin is a street musician who is currently homeless and lives out of her car in and around Portland.

Most people call me Harp Lady. My name is Denise Martin. As a single mother who fled domestic violence and a street musician for the last seven years in Las Vegas and Portland, I have experienced homelessness, and I am deep in it all the time on the streets. I would like to bust a few myths that many people have and lay out the real facts:

Homeless people are not lazy. It is extremely hard work to find a place to go to the bathroom, get life-saving water without money, keep your bedding from getting stolen, stay safe from crime and find an appropriate place to lie down without being arrested. Homelessness is a mind-breaking mental health challenge, which is even tougher than getting through the day physically.

Homelessness is not cheap. Currently I live in my car. I spend a lot of money on gas because I have to commute to a place where I can busk – play my harp for tips. Then, I have to find a place where I can park and sleep at night and still have access to a bathroom and be safe. It’s $5 to take the MAX or I need cash for gas and parking to drive. If I take the MAX, I have to haul all my equipment by hand.

I have to buy food that can last in the car or fast food that I don’t have to drive extra miles for. I am a health-food fanatic, but you need access to a kitchen to prepare your own food. For showers, I have to impose on friends or pay $15 at Flying J travel plaza in Aurora.

I spend over $1,000 a month living in my car. That’s more expensive than renting an apartment in some places, but I don’t have the capital to get into housing. So no, homelessness is not cheap.

Extreme weather makes us all vulnerable but it’s especially threatening for people who are homeless. I just survived three record-breaking hot days. The beverages in my car were too hot to drink. I went to three places looking for ice, but everyone was sold out. I spent Monday riding around on a TriMet bus to stay cool and the only way I slept any of those days was because I have a battery-powered neck fan. It was a brutal three days.

I play in front of the IL Terrazzo restaurant on the waterfront with my Homeless, Harpin 4 a Miracle sign. The wealthy folks who dine there ask me about the homeless and what can be done.

Those of us living in cars or on the sidewalks need water, showers, cell-phone charging stations and sponsors. The guy who smells, with no phone or address, is not getting a job. We need internet access since most applications are online these days. I am the Beverly Hills of the homeless, with an expensive instrument, car and nice clothes. Don’t judge those on the street by my standard. I am blessed, I have outs now that COVID is lifting.

You are offended by the homeless smelling up the streets? Donate for more portable toilets. If you are lucky enough to eat and drink it must eventually come out. Poor people need bathrooms!

The libraries used to be where people could pee, get warm or cool off, or charge a phone - the lifeblood of the homeless. Most have been closed for over a year. In Las Vegas, the 24-hour transit center offered bathrooms, vending machines and a place to get out of the sun. It closed for COVID.

As I said, I have a harp and a nice car, so I do my own thing. I don’t use homeless services because when COVID hit, I worried about my health. I also feel safer on my own than in a crowd, because some homeless people have untreated mental illness.

But the government can help many of us by providing more water and bathrooms. More agencies are needed to help connect us with sponsors who are willing to provide financial help or resources to get back on our feet. Sponsors can be real people like you or companies willing to donate. Because that’s all that some of us need.

One day I was paying the bills entertaining in Las Vegas, the next day the town closed due to a pandemic. My teenage son went to live with a friend while I moved into my car. Just remember, “There but the grace of God, go I.” We are just people who hit a giant ditch and need a tow. Please drop your judgment and care and reach out.

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Submit your essay of 500-600 words on a highly topical issue or a theme of particular relevance to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and the Portland area to commentary@oregonian.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification.

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July 04, 2021 at 08:31PM
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Opinion: Busting a few myths about homeless people by someone who is homeless - oregonlive.com
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