The Invisible Homeless

Not too long ago I met Keith*. Keith is a kind man with a big toothless smile. He eats most of his meals at Siloam Mission but never stays the night in our emergency shelter. He resides at the McLaren Hotel in downtown Winnipeg, a stone’s throw away from Siloam. He has been staying there for over 20 years. Shocking? I know. What’s even more shocking is that he’s not alone in his circumstances.

You’d be surprised to find out that there are many people in similar situations. There are a number of people who live in rooms in downtown hotels, and to some of them Keith’s 20 year stretch is nothing.

Does living in a skuzzy, run down, dangerous hotel in the middle of the city mean you have yourself a home? I think not. Yet, it’s what Keith has and it’s what he’s surprisingly used to. Keith is one of the many invisible homeless.

Then there’s Mike *. Mike’s a young guy, energetic and warm hearted. He comes by once in a while to access our health centre and get some fresh clothes. We’ve never put him up for the night though; he stays with friends. Mike’s a “couch surfer” and, like Keith, he’s not the only one in that situation.

There are many who spend their nights with various friends or family members. They usually stay for a night or two but after that have worn out their welcome and have to find themselves alternative accommodations again. Night after night they never know for sure if there’ll be a place to stay.

Does having a roof over your head at night automatically mean you have a home? Not really. This is Mike’s life though, this is what he does, and he’s come to expect it. Mike is one of the many invisible homeless.

The invisible homeless are people who can’t claim a permanent residence but are not necessarily seen wandering the streets or sleeping in homeless shelters. They quietly accept homelessness and loneliness. If you’re living in a hotel or moving from couch to couch, you’re not out on the streets, but you’re still homeless.

Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator



*Names changed to protect privacy