A Thin Line: One Veteran’s Near-Homeless Experience

Courtesy of My Neighbors – www.my-neighbors.us

When Rock Bottom Knocks (A Personal Story):

Most people think homelessness is something that happens to “someone else”—a stranger on a street corner, a statistic on the news, a shadow in the distance. What they don’t realize is that homelessness can knock quietly, swiftly, and unexpectedly at your own door.

I know this because it nearly knocked mine off its hinges.

Up until now, only my closest friends and family knew this chapter of my life. I stayed silent, not because I had something to hide, but because I carried the weight of pride, guilt, and the crushing belief that maybe I had somehow failed.

But now, I know better. What I experienced wasn’t failure, it was a storm I weathered. And sharing this is not about shame. It’s about strength, and it’s about truth.

As a proud, self-sufficient young man, I started working at age 14, and later joined the US Army at 17. Like many young men, I was proud, idealistic, and eager to serve. I found purpose and identity in my uniform. My intention was to dedicate my life to military service. But history had other plans. At the tail end of the Cold War, the U.S. military began drawing down. With base closures, budget cuts, and restructuring, I was forced into early retirement after 15 years of service at the age of 32.

I had three young kids. My wife stayed home to raise them while I was deployed. Originating from very modest upbringings, we had no savings, just bills, mortgage, car loans, everyday expenses. My monthly retirement check was under $1,000. And in Killeen, Texas, where we were stationed, job opportunities were scarce and we paid a mere $5.15 an hour. That check, which was supposed to reward my years of service, couldn’t feed my family, let alone keep a roof over our heads.

Panic set in. I went to the food stamp office, something I never imagined I’d have to do, and was told my pension disqualified me. I walked across town to the unemployment office. Same answer. No help. Not enough. Apparently, the ability to barely survive disqualified me from actual assistance.

I lost the car. Then the house. And then I started to lose hope. At 32, I was staring down a reality I never saw coming. I remember lying awake at night, wondering where I’d take my family if we ended up in a shelter. I began thinking about things I never thought I would, dark thoughts. Maybe the only way I could provide them was through my life insurance.

I didn’t choose to be in that position. And neither do most of the people we walk past on the streets today. Somehow, by the grace of God and sheer resilience, I found a way out. My family rebuilt. We eventually became stronger, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

But let’s be honest: most people aren’t as lucky.

The Psychology of Homelessness: It’s Never Just One Thing

Homelessness is rarely the result of a single bad decision. More often, it’s a cascade of job loss, medical debt, a mental health crisis, divorce, trauma, or, in my case, forced retirement.

Many homeless individuals suffer from untreated mental health disorders such as depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Others self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, not to party, but to numb the pain of being invisible, alone, and hopeless. Add to that the crushing weight of stigma, and you have a perfect storm that strips away self-worth.

Cognitive overload, chronic stress, and trauma alter decision-making and perception of reality. People begin to believe they’re beyond help. That nobody cares. And often, nobody does, at least not enough.

Savannah, GA: The Local Reality

Even here in Savannah, a city known for charm and hospitality, the crisis is real. According to the 2024 Point-In-Time Count, there were 579 individuals experiencing homelessness, including families with children. That is down from the previous year thanks to coordinated outreach efforts, but 579 is still 579 too many.

There were 51 encampments identified around the city, underscoring that while shelter space is improving, demand still outweighs supply. Savannah continues to struggle with transitional housing, mental health access, and long-term affordability.

When We Look Away: The Human Cost of Indifference

Be honest: when was the last time you looked at a homeless person in the eye?

Most people avoid eye contact. Why? Because it’s uncomfortable. Because it makes us feel guilty. Because we don’t want to think, “That could be me.” But the truth is, it could. It nearly was me.

Instead of seeing human beings, we begin to see problems: “They make the streets dirty.” “They’re dangerous.” “They hurt property values.” So we push them out of downtown areas. Then we force them out of campsites. And when they have nowhere else to go, we criminalize their presence.

But we never stop to ask, “Where are they supposed to go?”

Hope and Help: Savannah’s Homeless Resources

Savannah is not without compassion. Several dedicated organizations and agencies work daily to assist those in need. If you or someone you know is facing homelessness, here are trusted resources:

Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH)
761 Wheaton St, Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 790-3400
homelessauthority.org

Union Mission – Grace House
120 Fahm St, Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 236-7423
unionmission.org

Salvation Army Homeless Shelter
3100 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31405
(912) 651-7420
salvationarmyusa.org

Inner City Night Shelter
124 Arnold St, Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 232-4673
icns-sav.com

Family Promise of Greater Savannah
126 Horizon Park, Savannah, GA 31405
(912) 790-9446
familypromisesavannah.org

Old Savannah City Mission
2414 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 232-1979
oldsavannahcitymission.org

Final Word: A Call for Empathy

If you’ve never been close to homelessness, count yourself lucky, not superior. Circumstances, not character, create the homeless.

Don’t look away. Look closer. See the person, not just the problem. And if you can, donate, volunteer, advocate, or simply show a little kindness.

Because the line between “them” and “us” is thinner than you think.

Sources:

• Fox28 Savannah, “Homeless numbers decrease in Savannah,” fox28savannah.com
• WTOC Savannah, “Savannah makes new plans to address homelessness,” wtoc.com
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Point-in-Time Count Data, 2024
• Personal testimony and editorial courtesy of My Neighbors (www.my-neighbors.us)