5 Heart-Wrenching Stories of People Who Lost Everything and Became Homeless

5 Stories of People Who Became Homeless During Hard Times

From having a roof over your head to living on the streets doesn’t require much. It could only take one poor decision, one unfavorable workday, or even a horrible turn of events.

These are the accounts of five people who, in the darkest moments of their life, lost their homes. Even though they were about to face much more difficult obstacles, they never lost hope.

1. Amber: In order to purchase a phone, I had to starve myself for an entire week.
   Life has a tendency of catching you off guard, as I discovered the hard way. I go by Amber.

I was in a beautiful home with my husband Louis and our kid Allen, living what I considered to be the dream life until lately. We looked so content. All of a sudden, though, things changed.

Louis exclaimed one evening as he was packing up, “I think we rushed into things, Amber. I’m sorry, but I can’t do this anymore!” My heart fell.

I begged, hoping he was kidding, “Louis, please tell me you’re kidding. You can’t just leave us like that! What about Allen? He’s only two!”

He shot back, “That’s exactly the problem, Amber!” “I’m tired of all the responsibilities. I need time for myself. I’ve found someone who gets what I’m going through. Please, just let me go.”

As he left that evening, I simply broke. How could the man I loved, who had never expressed any symptoms of sadness, decide to leave his family all of a sudden?

After Louis left, I was struck hard by reality. Trying to find a job while caring for Allen alone myself was difficult.

After two weeks, our landlady evicted us because I was unable to pay the rent. Social Services removed Allen because they believed he would be safer away from our precarious circumstances.

I was distraught and homeless that night. My child, my baby, was stolen from me.

I was able to sustain myself for a while by selling everything I owned, even my phone. The funds eventually ran out.

Out in the cold one evening, I thought back to my father’s cautions about Louis. “He’s not the right man for you,” my father had stated. Wish I had paid attention. I made the desperate decision to get a phone in order to contact him again.

I was aware that he might not answer the first time, or even the second, if I called him on a borrowed phone. Still, I’d have to give it my all. Or perhaps no one would give a destitute woman like me their phone. I required a personal phone.

I therefore went a week without eating in order to save money for a used phone. When I called my father, my weeping didn’t stop, and he answered.

He said, “Hello, who’s this?”

I sobbed into the phone, “It’s… Amber, Dad.”

“Amber, sweetheart! Is that you? Oh my goodness! How are things going?”

“I need your help, dad!”

“Is-Is everything okay, honey?”

“Just come as soon as possible, Dad!” I replied.

He came right away, and I told him everything I had to tell about the betrayal and my days living on the streets in a hotel room. My father reassured me that everything will be well.

Dad and I visited the orphanage the following day to begin the paperwork necessary to bring Allen home. After all was settled, Dad drove Allen and me to New York.

In order to find out where Louis was, he also hired a private investigator. As it turned out, Louis had been pretending to be unmarried while having an affair with his boss’s daughter.

Louis’s employer dismissed him after learning the truth—that he was married and had forsaken his family. Louis found himself homeless in the end. Even though I was not happy about his demise, I thought justice had been served.

I felt stronger when I was around my dad and Allen at home. Despite knocking me down, life taught me to be resilient. And I knew we could tackle whatever that lay ahead with Dad’s help.

One day as we watched Allen play, Dad told me, “Life can be tough, but so are you, Amber. Besides, I’ll always be here for you.”

I thanked him, my heart full of thanks. “Thanks, Dad. For everything.”

That evening, when I put Allen to bed, I considered our future together. We were prepared for whatever came next since we had love and support, even though it wouldn’t be easy. Life is difficult, but we are too. It’s time to look forward to the fresh starts that lie ahead of us.

The story of Brandon, a father of three who is homeless and lives in a tent, will be told next. He made the decision to put the needs of a stranger before his own one day, and his life was never the same.

2. Brandon: The day after I gave my last two dollars to a stranger at a gas station, I inherited his business.
   I learned a lot about life’s harsh realities and the tiny deeds of kindness that can sustain hope during my four months on the streets with my three children.

Our temporary dwelling, a tent next to a gas station, hardly protected us from the elements or the curious looks of onlookers. Despite the difficulties, we were able to make the most of things by occasionally laughing and experiencing happiness.

I made the decision to go into the petrol station and buy a can of beans—our evening meal—one chilly morning while I was counting the few cents I had left.

I came upon a scene inside that made my heart race. An old man with a look of perplexity on his face stood at the counter.

“I’m sorry, young lady, what did you say about the water being funny?” said the man.

The cashier yelled, “Money! I said you don’t have enough money, sir!”

He understood her irritation and said, “Yes, it is a sunny day!”

When a young man in line grabbed the older man by the shoulder and shouted, “You need more cash! For the water!” into his ear, the scene became more heated.

As I watched, my heart fell. The old guy asked politely for a smaller, more economical bottle of water so he could take his pills, but all he got was resistance. The cashier yelled, “If you can’t afford to pay, you’ll have to go!”

I could not watch helplessly. I stepped forward and dropped my change-filled cup on the counter. I decided to pay for the man’s water and added, “Have a heart, lady,”

Reluctantly, the cashier accepted the money after counting it with dislike. That will take care of that, she mumbled. I gave the old guy the water and put the can of beans on the counter.

As I said, “Here you go, sir. I got your water,” I made sure my lips were visible. He had problems hearing.

He asked me, “Why did you help me when you obviously needed the money?” as we were leaving the store and he saw my tent next to my daughter, who was assisting her brothers with their laundry.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being homeless, sir, it’s that the world works when people are kind to each other. Sadly, nobody was going to help you at the store,” I replied.

He asked, worried, “But what are your kids going to eat?”

“We still have some bread left from yesterday, and maybe I can find some leftovers at the fast food restaurant across the street,” I told him, but I was filled with doubt.

Things changed unexpectedly in life the following morning. When two jeeps pulled up next to our tent, a man in a dapper suit got out and held an envelope.

“Mr. Grives’s last wish was for me to deliver this to you,” he stated. I was totally taken aback by the gesture of a letter handing me the succession of his company.

I questioned in shock and bewilderment, “Is this some kind of joke?”

The individual verified the legitimacy of the offer by presenting me with official documents. I signed the paperwork feeling both hopeful and nervous. With a chance to leave the streets and have a real home, this might be the break my kids and I need.

We were taken to a huge mansion in the colonial style, which was very different from our little tent. “Is it possible for us to set up a tent beneath that tree with pink flowers?” my youngest child, Derrick, gushed.

My daughter Kelly interjected, “We’re going to live inside that house, silly! Right, Dad?”

The reality of our new life started to set in as I nodded. However, as soon as I unlocked the two doors, I knew something wasn’t right. The place was a mess; it appeared that someone had visited and their goals were unsettling.

I contacted 911, and the officer stated, “We’ve looked around the entire house and found no sign of forced entry, sir.” “And the fact that the security system appears to have been overridden using the correct code suggests that whoever vandalized this place had a legitimate means of gaining entry.”

I received a call from an unknown caller that evening. The voice on the other end told me that I had 24 hours to accept all Mr. Grives had left me and leave the house, or else I would lose everything I held dear. It was a terrifyingly robotic yet ominous tone.

The devoted and industrious employees of Mr. Grives arrived at the mansion, and one of them alerted me to the possibility that Mr. Grives’ eldest son, Christopher, was behind this. I made up my mind to visit the police as soon as I woke up.

However, when I awoke in the morning, my worst nightmare had come true: my kids had vanished! They had vanished, and while the cunning assailant had concealed his identity from the majority of the cameras within and surrounding the residence, there was one he was unaware of.

The staff of Mr. Grives looked on in terror as they identified the leader of three thugs who were drugging and removing my children. It was Christopher.

From that point on, the police, who had a great deal of respect for the late Mr. Grives, assigned every guy they could find to follow Christopher. They didn’t stop until later that afternoon, when they saw Christopher and his cronies on the state boundary, tied up with my kids in the back of an old van.

My kids were safe, and Christopher had been taken into custody. But now that their terror had taken hold, I had to decide whether to move on and start again or to recover from the pain and accept the gift that generous person had left for us.

I was attempting to settle myself on the couch when Kelly asked, “Daddy, are we going to leave our home again…just like we did when Mommy died?” Her words crushed my heart.

I encircled them more tightly with my arms. “Listen, you three, there’s a lot of details that still need to be sorted out, but we’re going to be okay. You want to know why?”

Their inquisitive gaze came to rest on mine.

“It’s because the most valuable thing we have is right here, in my arms. So long as we stick together, we’ll always be rich in the most important way: love. The world’s wealth comes and goes, kids, but the love we share for each other is a treasure nobody can take away from us.”

Surrounded by the tumult of our new reality at that very moment, I realized that we had each other, no matter what lay ahead. That was more than sufficient.

Mr. Greg wasn’t fortunate enough to have kids that know the value of love and kindness, but Brandon did. His narrative is the next to be told.

3. Mr. Greg: I Had to Teach My Teen Daughter a Lesson After She Humiliated the Homeless
   I always believed that I was providing the best care possible for my daughter Jane. I made sure she had all she needed, but I neglected to instill in her a vital value: empathy for others. When I misplaced my wallet a few days ago, this really got to me.

When I got home after a futile search, Jane was at our doorstep making fun of a homeless father and his daughter. The moment the man handed me my wallet, undamaged, disbelief set in. That man’s gesture touched me. These days, who does that?

However, Jane treated them with such contempt and labeled them “trash,” that it crushed my heart. I realized I had to fix this for Jane as well as for them.

I asked the man, Mark, and his daughter, Lolita, to supper that night. I had the opportunity to impart charity to Jane.

As I was checking my wallet, Jane shouted, “Dad, check the money! He probably stole it!” Everything was in its place. “All the money is here, sweetie. You’re mistaken,” I informed her.

I invited Mark and Lolita to remain for dinner after noticing their uneasiness.

I said, “Why don’t you guys join us?” “It’s the least I can do to thank you.”

Jane was so unhappy that she even handed them paper plates for dinner rather than real dishes.

In an attempt to teach her politeness, I said, “Why not use the nice dishes I got you for your birthday?”

I urged Mark to tell his story while we were eating, but Jane would not stop making crude remarks. I finally ran out of patience.

I yelled, “Shut your mouth, Jane!” “You don’t know the first thing about their lives. Misfortune could strike anyone.”

I then told Jane a very unpleasant reality. “It’s my fault. I worked too much, especially after your mother passed. We were just like them once,” I admitted. “Do you remember our ‘camping trips’? We were actually homeless then.”

Jane looked shocked. Quietly, she said, “How did we get back on our feet?”

I sighed and added, “A kind man gave me a job. That changed our lives.”

I then turned to face Mark. “When I saw you today, I knew it was my turn to pay it forward,” I stated to him.

Mark gave a nod. “All I did was what a decent human should do. I don’t need anything in return,” he stated.

Jane paused and replied, “I’m sorry, Dad. I had no idea.”

Trying to console her, I said, “It’s okay, honey. It’s not too late to learn from this.”

“We have plenty of room, and it’s getting late,” I proposed to Mark and Lolita when it was time for them to leave.

After hesitating, Mark graciously agreed. “Thank you, Greg. This means a lot.”

However, I understood that I could still aid them. Providing them with a place to stay for the night would not solve their issues. I thus came to a decision.

Guys, it doesn’t cost anything to be a little kind, and I was prepared to see to it that young Lolita and her father had a happy life.

The following day, I set up a temporary residence for them and made Mark an offer to work as a driver. “And I’ll help you as much as I can until you’re back on your feet,” I said.

“Oh, my God! Really?” exclaimed Mark. “Nobody is this kind nowadays, sir. This is going to change our lives. I won’t let you down, sir,” Mark said as he wept. “Thank you. Thank you so much!”

I knew I’d made the proper decision that day when I saw the happiness on Lolita’s face. About Jane, my Janie has evolved. She matured, and I’m very happy with that.

But that’s not the end. I’m not the only one who made the decision to improve the life of a homeless person.

The following tale centers on Nancy, who made the selfless decision to assist her destitute former partner in getting back on his feet. What transpired, though, when her former partner attempted to separate them?

4: Nancy: After I helped my homeless ex, I was moved to tears by what he did next.
One day, my boyfriend Christian and I were heading to a concert as we were leaving the office. He had surprised me that day with tickets to see my all-time favorite performer!

After a year and a half of dating Christian, everything seemed to be enchanted. He seemed like the ideal person, co-managing my software company with me, and taking me on excursions and vacations. Well, until I saw my former partner.

A voice jolted me out of my reverie, saying, “Excuse me, ma’am. Could you spare some change?”

It had a familiar sound.

I spun around and noticed a man on the streets looking down by the office building.

I moved in closer, inquisitive. “Joe?” I said, identifying him.

After a quick peek up, Joe averted his gaze. Yes, it was Joe, my high school sweetheart, looking unkempt with a tattered beard and shabby clothes.

Christian approached, appearing irritated. Sharply, “What’s going on here?” he questioned.

“This is Joe,” I uttered. “We went to high school together.”

Christian appeared repulsed. “This… beggar?”

Joe flinched when I held him, but I ignored him.

Christian shoved Joe out of jealousy. “Avoid her!” he angrily commanded Joe.

That, in my opinion, was not the proper way to treat someone. “Will you please let me speak with him?” I asked Christian.

“Okay, let’s get started quickly. We have some plans,” he stated, crossing his arms.

I looked back at Joe. “What happened, Joe? You… here?”

Joe shrugged and remarked, “Life, I guess.”

I couldn’t abandon him in this state. After handing him some cash for new clothes and lodging, I said, “I’m sorry. Why don’t you come by the firm tomorrow? Ask for me on the third floor. There might be a job for you.”

Joe answered with gratitude, “Thank you, Nancy. I won’t let you down.”

Christian bounded back toward the vehicle. Even though Christian was unhappy, I felt good about assisting Joe as I drove away.

Joe arrived at the office the following day, well-groomed in the clothing I had purchased for him. I had no idea that Joe had doubts about Christian. Joe thought Christian wasn’t a pleasant man right away when they first met.

He just so happened to pay special attention to Christian and another coworker, Lily, that day at work. There was something unsettling about their apparent over friendliness.

He saw them later, Lily carrying an envelope, leaving Christian’s office. He became wary. Joe surmised that the big envelope contained cash.

In order to learn more, Joe broke into Christian’s office covertly. However, Christian caught him and immediately dismissed him.

After arriving, I demanded to know “what’s going on here?”

Joe was accused of stealing by Christian. Joe denied it, implying that there might be a problem between Christian and Lily.

My instincts took over. “I want to search your desk, Christian,” I replied.

I discovered a velvet box with a ring as I was searching. Christian exclaimed, “That was for you!” “I was planning something for you, and Joe just ruined it!”

Whatever had happened was overwhelming me. I told Christian that I needed time to myself after asking Joe to go. Joe said something that made me cry just after this.

Christian was approached by Joe in the parking lot. “I know what you’re hiding. The truth will come out, Christian,” he said to him.

Christian dismissed it with a giggle. “You have no proof, bum. Stay out of this!”

Joe came out with a stack of papers that he had collected after breaking into Christian’s office twice. “These documents speak for themselves, Christian!” he declared.

Christian grinned. “The real evidence is safe and sound—on my external hard drive. I’ll take it home and make sure it stays hidden,” he exclaimed.

Joe prodded, “Really? What’s in there that isn’t here?”

“As if I’m going to tell you,” Christian confidently laughed. “It’s mostly…some creative accounting. You wouldn’t understand.”

I was filming and listening to the talk while I concealed behind a pillar.

Time to confront the facts. As I joined Joe, I exclaimed, “Your deception ends here, Christian. Hand over the hard drive!”

The police and security arrived, exposing the embezzlement of Christian and Lily.

I said, “I’m so sorry for not believing you earlier,” to Joe.

Joe responded to me, “It’s okay, Nancy. You’ve been kinder than my own family.”

I appreciated his loyalty as I gave him a hug and came to understand the value of second chances and genuine friendships.

Joe was a devoted buddy who looked out for me, more than just an old lover. I knew that our friendship would endure forever. The most genuine allies we can have are sometimes those from our past.

Although I was fortunate enough to receive consolation from a former acquaintance, Paige did not. It’s sad how her parents treated her; you’ll read her story next.

5. Mr. and Mrs. Watson: We regretted our decision to cast our pregnant daughter out in the cold.
   The day our daughter Paige informed us she was expecting is one I will never forget. I was furious and really disappointed. The baby’s father, Justin, didn’t seem like he could do much for her, and she was just eighteen. As a father, I was furious beyond belief.

I even suggested she think about getting an abortion in my desperation. Despite our advice, Paige remained steadfast and went with Justin. I told her to go away from our house, furious. My wife felt the same way, presumably to keep me from getting even angrier. I never imagined she would go.

I regretted those statements every day for years to come. Our family broke up and we even began to lose money. We paid dearly for my pride.

Then, one day, I was discussing a significant matter with a prospective legal consultant at a restaurant.

Paige was the consultant. She didn’t look at all like the girl I’d last seen years ago—rather, she looked confident and competent.

“Did you think I wouldn’t come if you used your name in the email?” inquired Paige.

“I… I hoped you would,” I said, lowering my gaze.

I said, feeling embarrassed once more, “Sorry, Paige. Please forgive us for what we did! We need your help.”

With a sour tone, she said, “Yeah, I figured. So what’s the problem this time?”

I informed her of the terrible mishap that resulted from my spouse’s error. “Your mother needs help, Paige. We’ve lost everything. She was drinking and driving…and now, she’s in a legal mess.”

Paige paid close attention. “You have to help us, Paige. But we can’t pay your fees,” I said.

“It’s alright, Dad,” she whispered. After paying for our meal and taking the paperwork, she said, “I don’t need your money. Let’s see what I can do.”

Working from home, Paige spoke with the relatives of the victims and persuaded them to reach a settlement instead of pursuing a protracted court struggle. I felt a wave of relief when the judge in court announced the settlement.

Following the hearing, my spouse and I went outside to meet Paige, Justin, and their young daughter, Julia.

Julia’s wife asked, “What’s your name, honey?”

“Hello, I’m Julia!” she exclaimed in a positive manner.

In an attempt to get in touch with our granddaughter, my wife said, “You have a lovely name, Julia! Would you like to visit us sometime?” and a daughter.

Paige remarked, “Maybe later.” “We have plans tonight.”

My wife said, “That’s fine!” “Paige, she looks so much like you.”

“Well, she seems to be more like her dad,” Paige shot back, reminding us of our previous conclusions. “We’ll be going now. Goodbye.”

I was proud of them and I was also sorry to see them go. Paige had grown into a self-sufficient, sympathetic adult.

I only learned after that Paige’s first child would still be alive if we hadn’t asked her to leave the house that day. Yes, she experienced a miscarriage of her first child. It was really cold the night she left our house, and she was dressed in nothing but a flimsy robe.

She was bleeding when she arrived to Justin’s house, and she passed out at his door. After losing their first child, the two went through a difficult period, but Justin was there for my daughter at all times. How mistaken I was about him.

That day, I cried in private for a long while, feeling bad about what I had done. Paige, I sincerely apologize.

If I could go back in time, I would respect her affection, accept her decisions, and have faith in her wisdom. However, time only goes forward, so I have to hold onto the hope that one day Paige will completely forgive us and let us into both Julia’s and her life.

You see, everyone can experience hardship, but everyone can discover hope and a fresh start, just like the individuals in the aforementioned stories, if they have a little understanding and hope.