This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7681978.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Living in 'The Hotel Honda' | Living in 'The Hotel Honda' |
| (1 day later) | |
| Bruce Richall is an IT consultant based in the affluent Connecticut suburb of Westport. He describes how the loss of his job at a multinational bank triggered a rapid spiral into poverty. Having depleted his savings and unable to afford rent, he now sleeps in the back of his car. | Bruce Richall is an IT consultant based in the affluent Connecticut suburb of Westport. He describes how the loss of his job at a multinational bank triggered a rapid spiral into poverty. Having depleted his savings and unable to afford rent, he now sleeps in the back of his car. |
| In the back of my mind, I hoped it wouldn't happen to me. | In the back of my mind, I hoped it wouldn't happen to me. |
| I saw bank workers being escorted off the property, clutching their boxes. It was very chilling to witness departing co-workers. | I saw bank workers being escorted off the property, clutching their boxes. It was very chilling to witness departing co-workers. |
| The bank where I worked had already undergone a series of lay-offs in the previous months. | The bank where I worked had already undergone a series of lay-offs in the previous months. |
| I really liked my job and wanted to keep it. I joined in February, and having worked for many years as an IT contractor - with its inherent instability - this position offered the potential of a full-time position. It could become a "secure" job. | I really liked my job and wanted to keep it. I joined in February, and having worked for many years as an IT contractor - with its inherent instability - this position offered the potential of a full-time position. It could become a "secure" job. |
| But when security guards made simple, routine rounds through the cubes and offices, people would look up from their desks. | But when security guards made simple, routine rounds through the cubes and offices, people would look up from their desks. |
| There would be a sigh of relief as the guards kept going. | There would be a sigh of relief as the guards kept going. |
| I never thought it would ever come down to this, but here I am - homeless But it didn't happen this time. On a Friday, my manager came to my desk. Usually he came by to ask me if I could put in some overtime. But, just by the look on his face, I could tell. This wasn't an overtime request. This is it, I said to myself. | I never thought it would ever come down to this, but here I am - homeless But it didn't happen this time. On a Friday, my manager came to my desk. Usually he came by to ask me if I could put in some overtime. But, just by the look on his face, I could tell. This wasn't an overtime request. This is it, I said to myself. |
| Sure enough, I was told that my last day would be the end of the month. | Sure enough, I was told that my last day would be the end of the month. |
| Though I didn't show it outwardly, I was devastated. | Though I didn't show it outwardly, I was devastated. |
| Westport is home to many of the US' most well-heeled citizensI would have another month before leaving so that I could start yet another job search. I immediately contacted my agency to let them know that the assignment would be ending. | Westport is home to many of the US' most well-heeled citizensI would have another month before leaving so that I could start yet another job search. I immediately contacted my agency to let them know that the assignment would be ending. |
| My last day at the bank was bitter-sweet. There was a cake and a card. We joked but inside I was truly frightened. I asked myself what would happen to me now, in such a difficult job market? Would I become homeless? | My last day at the bank was bitter-sweet. There was a cake and a card. We joked but inside I was truly frightened. I asked myself what would happen to me now, in such a difficult job market? Would I become homeless? |
| At the end of my last day, my manager came downstairs with me. We had a cigarette and talked. | At the end of my last day, my manager came downstairs with me. We had a cigarette and talked. |
| "Bruce, if I can get you back here, you know I will," he said. His words were kind and well-intentioned. | "Bruce, if I can get you back here, you know I will," he said. His words were kind and well-intentioned. |
| My life today has changed dramatically since my brief tenure with the bank. | My life today has changed dramatically since my brief tenure with the bank. |
| Now I'm facing a very uncertain future. | Now I'm facing a very uncertain future. |
| I now sleep in the back of my car, while I wait for a bed to become available at the shelter. I call it The Hotel Honda Global gloom: Your stories I'm no longer collecting a nice pay check, going to work every day and returning home at night. I'm no longer a part of the team I so enjoyed working with. | I now sleep in the back of my car, while I wait for a bed to become available at the shelter. I call it The Hotel Honda Global gloom: Your stories I'm no longer collecting a nice pay check, going to work every day and returning home at night. I'm no longer a part of the team I so enjoyed working with. |
| Months passed as my savings gradually dwindled. I was only collecting a small unemployment check from a low paying "between-jobs" job that I had prior to signing on with the bank. | Months passed as my savings gradually dwindled. I was only collecting a small unemployment check from a low paying "between-jobs" job that I had prior to signing on with the bank. |
| I had to move from my apartment, put my belongings in storage and find a homeless shelter. | I had to move from my apartment, put my belongings in storage and find a homeless shelter. |
| I now sleep in the back of my car, while I wait for a bed to become available at the shelter. I call it The Hotel Honda. | I now sleep in the back of my car, while I wait for a bed to become available at the shelter. I call it The Hotel Honda. |
| What galls me the most is that about one third of my income is taxed. I'm taxed on what I earn and taxed on what I spend | |
| I keep a good suit and a dress shirt in the back of the car for interviews. I tell recruiters that I'm working. | I keep a good suit and a dress shirt in the back of the car for interviews. I tell recruiters that I'm working. |
| This is not the life I imagined for myself when I graduated from university. I never thought it would ever come down to this, but here I am - homeless. | This is not the life I imagined for myself when I graduated from university. I never thought it would ever come down to this, but here I am - homeless. |
| Unlike the Europeans, we in the US don't have much of a social safety net. | |
| My meagre unemployment income is too high to let me qualify for Social Services, yet far too inadequate to pay for my home, food, car, utilities and health insurance. | My meagre unemployment income is too high to let me qualify for Social Services, yet far too inadequate to pay for my home, food, car, utilities and health insurance. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I experienced the same thing years ago. It does something to you when you live out of your car and have nothing. I will forever be changed by it. Robert, Wisconsin, USA Read your comments | |
| I have hypertension, yet I can't afford a doctor, the emergency room or vital medication. I need a corrective eye surgery that I can't afford. Even routine check-ups are out of reach. | I have hypertension, yet I can't afford a doctor, the emergency room or vital medication. I need a corrective eye surgery that I can't afford. Even routine check-ups are out of reach. |
| My meals are taken at a soup kitchen. This is poverty. | My meals are taken at a soup kitchen. This is poverty. |
| What galls me the most is that about one third of my income is taxed. I'm taxed on what I earn and taxed on what I spend. | What galls me the most is that about one third of my income is taxed. I'm taxed on what I earn and taxed on what I spend. |
| Now that I'm in need there is nowhere to turn. | Now that I'm in need there is nowhere to turn. |
| Nobody is helping me except for my contributions to my unemployment account. | Nobody is helping me except for my contributions to my unemployment account. |
| Yet our leaders have found a way to bail out the very institutions that have put myself, and others, at risk. | Yet our leaders have found a way to bail out the very institutions that have put myself, and others, at risk. |