00:00:01.900 - 00:00:17.820

Okay. Can you state your full name for me? Yes. I'm Queenie Featherstone. And where were you born Queenie? I'm a Washingtonian, born right here in the District of Columbia, 62 wonderful years ago. [laughs]

00:00:20.600 - 00:01:41.800

And we're you raised in DC. Yes, born and raised in DC by a wonderful single parent, my mom. And are you experiencing homelessness now? Yeah, it does hurt. My case of being homeless was not due to illicit drugs, alcoholism, severe mental... My homelessness came about 13 years ago, as my pay dropped and I was working as a paraeducator in the school system. And after 45 years of living in Maryland, in Takoma Park, Maryland. We relocated from DC to Maryland my family all passed away. I, at that time, could afford to keep the place and keep a roof over my head. However, the pay dropped. The rent finally went up and it was not enough to pay rent.

00:01:43.200 - 00:02:42.300

Why you didn't do you think homelessness is a big problem in Washington, DC.? I personally feel, as I work with others and am an advocate myself, homelessness is, I feel that it's not enough help for people who try hard, who may be financially or needing a voucher or whatever the case may be to have a roof over their head to not experience homelessness. Has the ability to live in the has changed over the course of the year? Say it again. Say it again.

00:02:44.700 - 00:04:35.800

Has the ability to live in the city changed over the course of your life, in a way that made homelessness more or less prevalent, more or less privileged? The stability is that your question? Has the ability to live in this city changed over the course of the year? Well, for me, I would say the ability- as long as it's affordable. And I'm trying to be and I am, I feel I'm being sold for real. We do understand water costs, electricity costs, heat costs. You have to pay if you live in an apartment complex, the management, they have to get paid too, the staff, the maintenance. So I'm not saying that rent should be 50, 20, 40, 60 dollars. Let's be for real. But here is my paycheck, does it look like I could pay $1,500, with you looking at my paycheck? So my ability to want to pay, and I do want to work and pay. But $2,000 rent! My paycheck doesn't equal that. So make it affordable where people can live and pay rent and be responsible to pay rent.

00:04:37.500 - 00:05:21.910

What do you think is the biggest cause of homelessness in this city? Mismanagement. Maybe not enough support or workers, such as you know, case management supervision. I think it should be more. Yeah, more. In what way do you think family impacts homelessness. Family?

00:05:22.700 - 00:07:02.900

Have an impact on homelessness? Well, you know, to be for real, it's almost as they're saying is, it's nothing like having your own. And if you do have family, brothers, sisters, cousins, whatever the case may be. Sometimes it's just so much better if you have your own because you can't always live with a brother or sister or cousin or aunt or uncle, not all the time. Sometimes you may have to work together and bite the bullet to help each other out, but it's nothing like having your own. Have you seen a significant change in the neighborhood, that has impacted your ability to find housing? Yes, because again, I still cannot get any help. So for me personally, each time I try to knock at the door of the different homeless organizations. I don't qualify for this. I don't qualify for that. I can't do this. I can't do that, as they tell me. So you have to stay homeless.

00:07:03.800 - 00:08:54.800

Can you tell me what type of organization you have been looking at? Yeah, sure. Certainly. I went to Pathway to Housing. I went to N Street Village. I went to People for Fairness Coalition, PFC. And each time. I still get pushed against the wall. It's no help for me. Okay, what kind of housing situations are the most accessible to people in your situation? Well, for one, I am a happy 62 years senior citizen. But again, I have always been told because I'm not I have no children, I'm not a veteran, I'm not on drugs, I don't pass the SPDAT questionnaire, I'm not on drugs, alcohol, severely mental, I can't get any help. There's still no help for me as a senior citizen. And I do have a hearing disability. I can't hear, but I still get pushed against the wall each and every time and it hurts.

00:08:57.300 - 00:10:54.900

How does a job situation in the city and packed ability to access housing? A job? Well, I now have officially retired, early retirement at 62. And that's a waiting period, each day, each week, each month. I'm pushed against the wall and told, "wait wait wait." Sure, I try to have much courage and patience and peace and wait. But it gets to be frustrating. I want to work to pay rent to have a roof over my head. So, what kind of job do you think you can do? Well, I mean, I had various jobs. I know I'm good and I have a current resume. I am, however, still- it's time for me to retire. So, even in that- when you retire and get social security, because once again, I don't even qualify for social security disability. They told me no. You can work if you retire early at 62, you can still work part-time. But again, in that, I have to wait,

00:10:55.800 - 00:12:27.010

What type of job would you like to do for part-time work? I like advocacy work, customer service, to be a mentor. I love and I know I'm good- I'm a people person with patience and I know I'm good at it. In what ways do the government social services changes impact homelessness? Does it impact us for the better or for the worse? Well, I would certainly say the government side is- they say the staff is down, or we don't have enough workers and the work is too great. You have a lot of work and not enough staff to do the work. But on the other hand in government, it's a lot of red tape. And I often say, which I almost say, three times a day, "put your money where your mouth is. Let's stop talking and get things done."

00:12:30.900 - 00:13:10.170

Has access to public housing changed over the course of your life? Well, to be honest, I did not come up in public housing. So I can't really talk a lot about that because I never was raised up and my mom raised- by again, a single parent. She worked so we were never exposed to public housing. Has the welfare benefit impacted homelessness in anyway? The welfare benefits?

00:13:10.600 - 00:14:39.000

Has it impacted homelessness in anyway? Again, that's another topic that I totally don't understand. So I don't want to make a comment because I've never had to be faced with that. So how would you describe the state of the homelessness shelters in the city? And what impacts do they have on homelessness? Well now that I can speak on because I had to be placed in the women's shelter. I know and I understand you must follow rules and regulations. I understand that. However, the slave grip that they put on the women or even myself being at the shelter, it for me, I can speak only for me, it's hard to bear. You can't do this. You can't do that. You have to meet curfew deadlines. You can only eat at a certain time and you have to go to bed at a certain time. For me, it hurts.

00:14:39.500 - 00:15:27.500

Can I ask you which shelter that is you is staying at? Pat Handy, it's governed by N Street Village. How does policies in the city impact homelessness? Policies? Policies, again, I'll go back to say., if this is your meeting and planning and your policy, once again, put your money where your mouth is. Let's stop talking and get the job done. Let's stop meeting, meeting, meeting and see results.

00:15:29.100 - 00:16:35.400

And who would you refer to about these policies? Who would be...? Who would you refer to about these policies to get things done? Well, of course, yes, you have to go to your city officials. You have to go to your ANC Commissioners. You have to go to various directors. But, let's see some work, positive work done. Yes, the work is great. The homeless population may be overwhelming and not enough workers because that thing is you don't want to wear out your welcome. You don't want the workers, the staff, the government officials to be burned out either. But do what you say you're going to do. Put your best foot forward. And we can all work together.

00:16:37.500 - 00:18:07.560

Has police brutality had an impact on homelessness? Well, I would say yes and no meaning. Yes, because sometimes, maybe if the law officials may see someone homeless, they may think otherwise that they are breaking the law or doing something unseemly. No, because they have to maybe want to stop and realize the homeless population may not be meaning, any harm. But let's try to keep within the law that they too can be governed, watched, or managed by the law. How has the War on Drugs had an impact on homelessness? Drugs? Well, again, I almost can't touch on that either because for me, I can speak for myself, I didn't come up in this surrounding, around drug-related, people or issues.

00:18:08.800 - 00:19:11.520

Well do you think drugs have a big impact on people becoming homeless? Yes. because if the homeless population are influenced by those with drugs, selling drugs, buying drugs. It's going to keep that market. And it's going to continue to weigh them down if they are not strong enough to want to fight it. I was strong enough to know that wasn't the avenue that I should have gone. So that's why it doesn't affect me and my upbringing because I wasn't around that type of environment. And I don't choose to be around that type of people. And what impact do prisons have on homelessness? Prisons?

00:19:12.000 - 00:21:10.500

Yeah, does it has an impact on homelessness? Well, you know, if you are in the homeless population, of course, you have to break a law, go to court, to be in prison for whatever the reason may be that you would have to go to prison. But, he prison system should be so, where it will, how can I say- it will help or refurbish those that are in there, so when they are released, they can be productive citizens. That's what I'm trying to say. In what ways are people's lives shaped by criminal records? Well, you know, sometimes if you- and this is not an excuse. If you're homeless, you may sometimes do things that you shouldn't. But now let's look at the ones that are not homeless, that rob, steal, kill, and destroy. So I think it goes across the board, not just gearing to the homeless breaking laws or rules. People that are not homeless break laws and rules, but I personally feel they should, if they're caught and penalized do their time to try to get them back on track.

00:21:14.900 - 00:21:28.100

In what ways do you think homelessness impacts people's health? How does it impact impacts people's health? People's...? How does homelessness impact people's health? People's health?

00:21:28.100 - 00:23:20.400

Yes. Oh well, that's a great question because the health physically, mentally- and I will certainly say, for myself, it's because I have great faith and I'm strong in my faith. That's why I'm not crazy [laughs] if you will. Because I know I have to hold on to my faith, but it does, you know, kind of weigh me down at times because I feel, you know, there's no help or I keep getting pushed against the wall with the housing. But I just don't give up. I keep praying. I keep being positive. I keep being thankful. And I just believe that if I help somebody, my living won't be in vain and help will come to me. So I don't want it to mentally destroy me. How would you describe the state of health care services available to people that are unhoused or that are homeless? How do you describe the health care system? Health Care? Well, I know, you know, so many- and you should have insurance and keep up your health, but sometimes, if you have to face homelessness, you do fall by the wayside health-wise.

00:23:21.400 - 00:26:30.100

And can you tell me some reasons how you will fall by the wayside? Yes. Well, for instance experiencing homelessness- like now this is the fall, going into the winter months, the winter season. If you have no healthcare, yes, you can go to the doctors, or hospital, or emergency rooms. They won't deny you. But, trust me a bill will be coming from somewhere. And if that health care bill or hospital bill get to you, you're gonna have to pay it. The bill collectors will hunt you down to pay a medical bill. But when you experiencing homelessness, how can you pay? Which will create bad credit, no credit, no money to pay, and that will continue to add up under you, if you have no health insurance or help to cover your health, if you need to get medical attention. What is impact of existing mental health and substance abuse programs on the homelessness in the region? Have they gotten worse or have they gotten better? I want to hear you talk a little bit about mental health and abuse programs. Sure. Again, it's a funny story, if you have a sister, or a brother, or you know, family member, good friends, and you say "I'm not crazy." You know, your family or friends would say, "yes, you are. Yes, you are," in a joking way. But when you are experiencing homelessness, it does weigh you down mentally as I stated before. It really does. But you have to want to be strong or have support if you can. But then, on the other hand, you know, you have to know that you don't want to have substance abuse as part of your life, if you can fight it, if you can be gone with it, do away with it or those who try to influence you. That's how I feel.

00:26:32.200 - 00:27:59.150

Do you think access to education or the quality of education has an impact on homelessness? And if so, has it gotten worse or do you think it's gotten better Education? Yes. Well, I mean when you need education and it would help if one has the mindset to pursue that and pursue education for themselves. You know, you should go and maybe try to get some help because learning is powerful. Knowledge is powerful. Using your brain and your skills, that's powerful. It would help you. S.o, I would personally say, you know, you have good family, good friends, good mentors to get behind you, to help get you into a school, a college. More education, it's needed if you want.

00:28:00.100 - 00:29:14.000

Do you think education has gotten worse or do you think it's gotten better? The educational system? Yes. Well, I think for me, I can speak for me. I finished all of my education. I did take some training classes, some extra curriculum courses and I put them under my belt. And I'm willing to- you know, education costs, also it costs [laughs]. So again, I'm not saying it should be free to me, I'll speak for myself, but, I never want to miss the opportunity to learn. I never want to miss the opportunity to learn. Right now, my focus is on being housed. Then maybe my next goal will be to take more courses to continue to learn

00:29:14.000 - 00:30:25.100

Has physical or sexual abuse within the home had an impact on homelessness? Physical or sexual abuse? Does it have an impact on homelessness? Well, you know, no one wants to be in a home and be physically, verbally, mentally abused. No one should have to face that. Yes, it happens. It's something in life that is for real. But if the situation arises, I feel in someone's home, they should get out to get help. I feel it, may not necessarily make them become homeless, but call the officials, call the authorities. Let someone know what's going on to get out of that. Not necessarily get out of that and live on the street and be homeless, but no one wants to have to face that type of harsh abuse. No one should have to face that.

00:30:26.700 - 00:32:55.650

How does violence on the streets affect homelessness? How does violence on the street? Well, sometimes as I listen and watch the news and see crimes committed- again to me it's not always surrounded by homelessness or people that are homeless. Again, sometimes the violent crimes or those who start fires or set things on fire, the news never reports that "a homeless person did this or a homeless person did that." So I would say violence on the street does not always center around someone being homeless. Violence on the street happens when people are not homeless. If you are with any, what do you think of any current groups or strategies people can engage in to try to end homelessness? Once again, putting your money where your mouth is, meaning, let's get the job done. If there are, I'll just use this as an example, 50 persons that are homeless, let's take each one at a time, not five years, ten years for each one. I'm not saying things have to happen overnight. However, if you take each one and work with them to get them housed, 50 people within one, two, three years, should be, can be, and must be housed. Again. I'm using that only as an example. We know the load is much more. But let's work one individual at a time quickly, the right way and get the job done.

00:32:56.700 - 00:35:02.700

Do you know of any groups that are doing that or working on trying to do that? Well, being an advocate myself, working with my organization PFC, we do work with the commissioners. And we've been working with the New Jersey and O encampments for those sleeping outside. We've been working at Virginia Avenue. We've been working at L and M. So several people, yes, have been housed, I believe through the DC government. But even in dealing with them is been a lot of red tape and downright lies. These are people's lives that they're playing with. People, human people, their lives. And that's not good. What are the most critical issues of the movement to end homelessness that we should focus on? Most critical issue is the affordability- here is a place to live, let's get you an income. Let's realize and know that you are capable of paying your rent, every month, keeping your home clean your place, your roof over your head clean. That you have help you do these things. That you can maintain a decent home.

00:35:04.600 - 00:36:36.800

If you could get 50 people to join you in doing the work to end homelessness, what would you have these people do? Paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork. Yes, you may have to meet and talk with landlords, developers, but once again, put your best foot forward. Get results. See results. House the people. Stay behind them, work with them, knowing the job can and will be done. And what other things can people do to fight against homelessness? You can never help too much. You can never be an advocate too much. Yes, it gets to be frustrating, but keep pressing, keep trying, keep working, knowing that you can get results. And in the results, homelessness will end one day.

00:36:39.500 - 00:38:09.200

What do you think about the barriers that is making it difficult for people, especially the unoused, for people to come together to mobilize against homelessness? The barriers is to have to hear the officials say, "we will help. We want to help. We can help." When days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, months, turn into years. And using me as an example, 13 years coming up still unhoused. It hurts. It hurts. If you could build a better world, what would that world look like for you? [laughs] A better world? Well, for me now, the better world is- again, I will reflect back on my faith. Me being positive. Me being around those who are positive. We have the same goals, the same mind frames. We hold up each other. For me, that's better.

00:38:10.300 - 00:39:47.450

What would a community ideal be like for you that you will want to live in? We could have community social events, community meetings, rules and regulations if you will. That we would be, as that saying goes, our brothers' keepers. That we would be there to morally support each other, to help each other, to work together with each other. If you can design your own housing solution, being as creative as you want to be, what would that might be? I just I want a home to call my own. There's nothing like having your own. And I look forward to being able to cook clean, decorate, invite friends and family. To be able to share, to do, and to give back. To give back to the homeless population, someone less fortunate. To give back because I know I'm somewhat physically, mentally unable to do.

00:39:49.400 - 00:41:13.700

What might an ideal employment situation look like for you? I'm retired so I don't want to work no more unless I want to work. But to volunteer, that would be a 9 to 5 job, to volunteer. But as far as working, I've been working since I was 14 years old. I want to now be a happy retired senior citizen at 62. How do you think you might make these visions a reality? Having a home first. Having a roof over my head, somewhere I could go in, and if I need to think to myself, to be quiet to myself to relax to myself, to sit in a tub of hot bubbly water with, with bubble baths and candles and I could concentrate on the next day, on what my duties or a job has to be done as I volunteer day by day. I desire that.

00:41:16.600 - 00:42:00.800

Is there any questions you have for me? No, I thank you for the interview, that I may be heard that. I'm not asking for someone to give me. I've worked. I know, rent cost. Once again. I'm not asking for someone to give me something. Let me work for it. But let a home be affordable, that I can pay live and be happy and comfortable and I thank you for your time. You're welcome, Queenie, and thank you.