03-05-2025
‘Everybody has a story.' QC residents simulate experiencing homelessness
Step by step, a group of Quad Cities residents are getting a glimpse at what it feels like to experience homelessness.
'There's a lot of myths (about experiencing homelessness) and so we wanted to break down that barrier because in order to solve homelessness it takes a whole community effort,' said Ashley Velez, Humility Homes & Services' chief executive officer. 'Everybody has a part in helping end homelessness.'
Humility Homes & Services put on its third 'Homelessness in the QC: An Immersive Experience' event, which is meant to address the rising numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness.
'In January of 2025 we have to do a federal count. It's called Point-in-Time. There were 34 individuals sleeping outside in five-degree weather,' Velez said. 'Last year in January of 2024 there were eight. That's just on the Iowa side.'
Humility Homes and Services staff member Duwan Baker experienced homelessness in the Quad Cities.
'It was hard because I had five children, and I'm a single mom,' Baker said. 'We came from another state, and this was a culture shock and something different. I didn't know anybody really here. The stigmatism (around homelessness) is easier for people to get at than actually sitting down and thinking from the beginning, 'Where did this happen? Why did this happen? What is going on with this person?' Everybody has a story.'
Velez hopes the event brought attention to the need for more affordable housing options in the Quad Cities.
'We need landlords to partner with us and take second and third chances on people,' Velez said. 'Now imagine if you needed our services and you have nowhere to go.'
For the immersive experience, participants were handed backpacks.
'Participants are carrying backpacks to know what it's like to have items and have to choose what they can bring with, and what they can't,' Velez said. 'You can only bring so much into a shelter.'
The event lasted four hours, but the staff hopes the experience has a longer-lasting influence.
'It's not always substance abuse or alcoholism (that causes homelessness). It's a different variety of homelessness,' Baker said.
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