EVICTED: Larry and Lena's Fight for Survival in Washington D. C.

Larry and Lena have lived in the same apartment for 50 years in Washington D. C.

The bustling streets of Washington D.C. often portray images of power, politics, and prosperity. But beneath the polished lies a harsh reality for many. A reality that Larry and Lena Brown now intimately understand. After five decades of shared life, love, and quiet struggle, this elderly couple finds themselves facing an unimaginable hardship: homelessness.

Larry, 75, and Lena, 73, have always lived modestly

Their entire financial existence hinged on Larry’s fixed social security. A lifeline that, for years, just barely covered their rent and basic necessities. They navigated life’s ups and downs together, a testament to enduring love and resilience. Building a world for themselves without the help of children. Their only family connection is Larry’s brother, currently incarcerated, unable to offer any assistance from behind prison bars.

The past few years have been rough, with a surge in the cost of living, particularly rent, in the nation’s capital is shocking. What was once just getting by quickly became impossible. Their small, familiar apartment, a sanctuary for 50 years, became an unattainable luxury. Despite their frugal habits and careful budgeting, the numbers simply stopped adding up. The eviction notice, a stark white rectangle of paper that was marked up in red and black ink, was less a warning and more a death sentence for their settled existence.

The Browns find themselves unsheltered

Each night is a desperate search for a safe corner, each day a battle against the biting Washington D.C. chill and the gnawing pains of hunger. They’ve tried the shelters, but the city’s resources are stretched thin. Full is the most common and most crushing response they receive. The irony isn’t lost on them. In the heart of a nation that prides itself on opportunity, they are left with none.

Larry is set on moving to South Texas.

Larry, ever the planner, is clinging to a slither of hope. His social security is due on the first of the month, and with it, he envisions a daring escape. His mind is set on South Texas. He’s heard whispers of warmer climates, a lower cost of living, and perhaps a fresh start. It’s a gamble, a desperate leap of faith, for a couple who has already lost so much. They’ve thought of uprooting their lives entirely, leaving behind the only city they’ve ever known is daunting. Yet, what choice do they have? There’s no hope for the couple in D.C.

Larry and Lena’s story is not unique. It’s a loud reminder of the vulnerability of our elderly, the fragility of a fixed income in an ever-inflating world, and the silent crisis unfolding on the streets of our cities as they await the first of the month, clutching onto the hope of a distant warmer Texas. Their endurance serves as a powerful call to action, a reminder that behind every statistic of homelessness, there are real people with real stories fighting for their very survival. Their resilience is inspiring, but their struggle is like a shame for them to have to survive like this in America.

May God bless Larry and Lena with good health while moving to Texas.

Thanks for reading!

Kindly,

Carol